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Surgery Today
Published in: Surgery Today 3/2016

01-03-2016 | Review Article

Minimally invasive esophagectomy performed with the patient in a prone position: a systematic review

Authors: Kazuo Koyanagi, Soji Ozawa, Yuji Tachimori

Published in: Surgery Today | Issue 3/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

We reviewed the surgical results of minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, performed with the patient in a prone position (MIE-PP), to assess its benefits.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed, and articles that fully described the surgical results of MIE-PP were selected. Parameters such as operative time, blood loss, and postoperative outcomes were compared with those obtained for open transthoracic esophagectomy (OE) and minimally invasive esophagectomy in a lateral decubitus position (MIE-LP).

Results

The conversion rate from MIE-PP to open surgery was very low. MIE-PP was associated with longer operative time and lower blood loss than OE. Although studies from a single institution did not show an apparent difference in morbidity or mortality among the three operative groups, results of a multicenter randomized controlled trial showed a reduction in pulmonary infection and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in MIE-PP, compared with OE. The benefits of MIE-PP vs. those of MIE-LP remain controversial.

Conclusion

Theoretically, the operative results of MIE-PP might be better than those of MIE-LP for patients with esophageal cancer; however, studies have not yet verified this. Further clinical studies are required to establish whether the advantages of MIE-PP can be translated into clinical outcome.
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Metadata
Title
Minimally invasive esophagectomy performed with the patient in a prone position: a systematic review
Authors
Kazuo Koyanagi
Soji Ozawa
Yuji Tachimori
Publication date
01-03-2016
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Surgery Today / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 0941-1291
Electronic ISSN: 1436-2813
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-015-1164-9

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