Minimally invasive esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy

Excerpt

Curative surgical therapy for esophagogastric cancer has three fundamental principles: (1) resection of part or all of the affected organs (esophagus, stomach) with adequate clearance of the primary tumor, (2) removal of local and regional lymph nodes to eliminate potential metastatic disease, and (3) restoration of gastrointestinal continuity with satisfactory function. During the past century, a wide variety of different techniques in pursuit of these principles have been described, but to date no consensus has been reached as to which approach is ideal. Radical resections involving a thoracotomy and laparotomy in theory offer the greatest chance for long-term disease-free survival but are associated with substantial morbidity and significant impairment of postsurgical quality of life [1]. Less invasive techniques, although perhaps better tolerated, may fail to achieve the same oncologic goals. …