Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

Author(s):  
Bernadette U. Laxa ◽  
Kristi L. Harold ◽  
Dawn E. Jaroszewski

Objective Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) can be performed a variety of ways using different techniques for the anastomosis. End-to-end anastomosis (EEA) transoral circular staplers have traditionally been used in gastric bypass surgery with good success. An evaluation of the safety and utility of the EEA transoral circular stapler for esophageal anastomoses in MIE is reviewed. Methods A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent transthoracic MIE with EEA-stapled transoral anastomoses between January 2008 and May 2009 was performed. Patient demographics, indication for esophagectomy, perioperative treatments, intraoperative data, postoperative complications, hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality were evaluated. Results Twenty-six consecutive patients underwent MIE with EEA circular-stapled transthoracic anastomoses. Twenty-three were male with a mean age of 64 years (32–88). Indications for esophagectomy included esophageal cancer (24), high-grade dysplasia (1), and refractory stricture (1). Fifteen patients (63%) had neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. There were no conversions to open thoracotomy or laparotomy. Mean operative time was 6.0 hours. Eight patients (31%) suffered postoperative complications; including leak from the gastric conduit staple line requiring operative intervention (1), postoperative bleeding requiring multiple transfusions (1), aspiration pneumonia (1), acute respiratory distress syndrome (1), myocardial infarction (1), chylothorax (1), and anastomotic stricture (2). Median hospital length of stay was 9 days (range 6–43). There were no in-hospital mortalities. Conclusions In our series, the EEA circular stapler seems technically feasible and relatively safe for an intrathoracic anastomosis in MIE.

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 110-110
Author(s):  
Kanatheepan Shanmuganathan ◽  
Temisanren Akitikori ◽  
Oluwasunmisola Soile ◽  
Aadil Hussain ◽  
Neda Farhangmehr ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Esophagectomy is associated with high complication rate and mortality. Numerous approaches have been introduced over the last two decades, with the ambition of reducing rate of complications, morbidity and mortality. Two-stage minimally invasive esophagectomies include hybrid (laparoscopic/thoracotomic) and fully minimally invasive and have recently gained popularity in the treatment of distal esophageal and gastro-esophageal junction cancer. We aim to compare the short-term outcomes between 2-stage hybrid and fully minimally invasive esophagectomy with intrathoracic hand-sewn anastomosis. Methods A retrospective analysis of a 4-year period prospectively collected data of 100 consecutive 2-stage minimally invasive esophagectomies was conducted. All operations were performed in a UK tertiary centre by a single surgical team between 2014 and 2018. All 3-stage and open esophagectomies were excluded from the study. A comparison of anastomotic leak rate, ITU length of stay, hospital length of stay, pulmonary complications, cardiac complications and 30 and 90-day mortality rates was made. Statistical analysis was performed using Graph-Prism 7.04. Results Seventy patients underwent hybrid and 30 underwent fully minimally invasive esophagectomy with intra-thoracic manual anastomosis. Chest infection and anastomotic leak rate were higher in the hybrid group (21.4% vs 16.8% and 10% vs 3.3%); however, cardiac complications were two times more common in fully minimally invasive compared to hybrid esophagectomies (3.3% vs 1.4%). Fully minimally invasive esophagectomies were associated with a shorter ITU stay as well as hospital length of stay compared to hybrid esophagectomies (5.5 vs 6.2 days, P = 0.47 and 10.5 vs 15.6 days P = 0.0018). Complete tumour resection (R0) rate was slightly higher in hybrid compared to fully minimally invasive esophagectomies (70.8% vs 64.3%). Thirty and 90-day mortality rate was 6.67% (1 cardiac and 1 respiratory arrest) in fully minimally invasive and 1.43% in hybrid esophagectomies. None of the mortality cases were related to surgical complications like anastomotic leak or conduit necrosis. Conclusion In our study 2-stage fully minimally invasive esophagectomy is associated with reduced post-operative complication rates compared to 2-stage hybrid oesophagectomy. Further larger studies are needed to assess the 30- and 90-day mortality risk associated with both procedures. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


Author(s):  
Simone Giacopuzzi ◽  
Jacopo Weindelmayer ◽  
Giovanni de Manzoni

AbstractDue to the difficulties in the intra-thoracic esophagogastric anastomosis creation, totally minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (MIE) did not encountered a large diffusion, preferring hybrid techniques or cervical anastomosis. Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) has gained popularity due to an easy reproducibility of the open anastomotic technique. In this feasibility study, we described the RAMIE technique introduced in our Center, providing innovative details for a mechanical end-to-end anastomosis. With patient in prone position, esophagectomy is conducted through the meso-esophagus plan. Robotic hand-sewn purse-string is realized above Azygos vein. A 4-cm thoracotomy in the fifth intercostal space is performed by enlarging the trocar incision. The tubulization is performed to create an access pouch for the introduction of the circular stapler. After the creation of the end-to-end anastomosis, the access pouch is resected and a robotic over-sewn is realized. From January 2020 until July 2020, ten patients were enrolled. No restriction in term of age, BMI, ASA grade or previous surgery were applied. Median operative time was 700 min. R0 resection was achieved in all cases with a good lymph node harvesting. No anastomotic leak or stricture were observed. One chyle leak was treated conservatively. Median length of stay was 8 days and 90 days mortality was 0%. This study evidenced how robotic surgery allowed us to perform the same anastomosis of our open technique with good oncological results and morbidity and length of stay comparable with our previous results. Of note, longer operative time has been recorded. Further studies after the completion of the learning curve are necessary to address more definite conclusions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinji Mine ◽  
Masayuki Watanabe ◽  
Atushi Kanamori ◽  
Yu Imamura ◽  
Akihiko Okamura ◽  
...  

Abstract   Although minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has been performed for esophageal cancer worldwide, intra-thoracic anastomosis under prone positions is still challenging. In this retrospective study, we reviewed our short-term results of this anastomotic technique in our institution. Methods From November 2016 to December 2019, we performed 319 esophagectomies. Of these patients, 28 patients (9%) underwent intra-thoracic esophago-gastric anastomosis under MIE. Procedures The left side of an esophageal stump which had been closed using a linear stapler was opened for anastomosis. Then, the anterior wall of a gastric conduit, around 5 cm below the tip, was opened for anastomosis. Linear staplers were inserted in both esophageal stump and gastric conduit and side-to-side anastomosis was performed. The opening for insertion was closed using a hand-sewn anastomosis in 2 layers. Results Five patients (18%) suffered anastomotic leakage with Clavien-Dindo 2 and 3a, and all of them recovered by conservative treatments. Two patients (2/19, 11%) showed anastomotic stricture which improved by several endoscopic dilatations. Six patients (6/19, 32%) showed the reflux esophagitis of Grade C. Conclusion Although we have not experienced severe or critical post-operative complications, the short-term results of intra-thoracic anastomosis under MIE were not sufficient. Additional progresses in techniques are required.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Markar Sheraz ◽  
Ni Melody ◽  
Gisbertz Suzanne ◽  
Straatman Jennifer ◽  
van der Peet Donald ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims The TIME trial showed reduced pulmonary complications from minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) over an open approach, and led to widespread adoption of MIE in the Netherlands. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes from minimally invasive esophagectomy in the DUCA (national dataset) and the TIME trial (RCT) for transthoracic esophagectomy1. Methods Original patient data from the TIME trial1 was extracted along-with data from the Dutch National Cancer Audit (DUCA) (2011-2017). Initially univariate analysis was used to compare patient and tumor demographics and clinical and pathological outcomes from patients receiving MIE in the TIME trial and in the DUCA-dataset. Secondly multivariate analysis, with adjustment patient and tumor factors, was performed for the effect of MIE vs. Open esophagectomy on clinical outcomes in both datasets. Thirdly the datasets were combined and multivariate analysis, was performed for the effect of patient inclusion in TIME trial or DUCA-dataset. Results 115 patients from TIME (59 MIE vs. 56 open) and 4605 patients from the DUCA-dataset (2652 MIE vs. 1953 open) were included. Univariate analysis showed, in TIME trial, MIE reduced postoperative complications and length of hospital stay. However in the DUCA-dataset, MIE increased postoperative complications, re-intervention rate and length of hospital stay, however pathological benefits included increased proportion of R0 margin and lymph nodes harvested. Multivariate analysis confirmed the TIME data showed MIE reduced postoperative complications (OR=0.38, 95%CI 0.16–0.90). In the DUCA-dataset, MIE was associated with increased postoperative complications (OR=1.37, 95%CI 1.20–1.55), re-intervention (OR=1.84, 95%CI 1.57–2.14), and length of hospital stay (Coeff=1.57, 95%CI 0.06–3.08). Pathological benefits to MIE in the DUCA-dataset included a reduction in proportion of R1 margin, and increased lymph node harvest. Multivariate analysis of the combined dataset, showed inclusion in the TIME trial was associated with a reduction in postoperative complications (OR=0.23, 95%CI 0.15–0.36) and reoperation rate (OR=0.34, 95%CI 0.17–0.66). Conclusions MIE when adopted nationally outside the TIME-trial, was associated with an increase in postoperative complications and reoperation rate, which may reflect surgeons on a national level going through their proficiency-gain curve in the technique and outside of expert MIE centers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 99-100
Author(s):  
Els Visser ◽  
David Edholm ◽  
Mark Smithers ◽  
Janine Thomas ◽  
Sandra Brosda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background MIE is becoming more common and is considered safe. There are few studies supporting laparoscopy in favor of laparotomy for the abdominal part of a three-field esophagectomy and long term survival data are scarce. The objective was to compare open esophagectomy (OE), with hybdrid thoracoscopic-laparotomic esophagectomy (HMIE) and minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) with regard to surgical outcomes, postoperative complications and survival. Methods A prospective database of esophageal resection for cancer at a single centre identified 243 OE, 688 HMIE and 80 MIE procedures. Propensity scores were used to match 80 patients in each group adjusting for age, gender, weight, clinical stage, neoadjuvant treatment, and year of surgery. Results Respiratory complications were more common after OE (49%) than after MIE (31%, P = 0.02). Median operative time was longer for MIE (330 minutes) versus HMIE or OE (both 300 minutes, P < 0.001). Median length of stay was shorter following MIE (12 days) compared with HMIE (14 days) and OE (15 days), P = 0.001. There were no significant differences between groups with respect to other complications, median number of lymph nodes examined (22–23 for all groups), or R0 resection rate (range 85–91%) for all groups. There was no difference in 5-year overall survival between groups. Conclusion Compared with OE and HMIE, MIE was associated with shorter length of stay and fewer respiratory complications, but longer operative time. Thus, there may be additional benefit for MIE without comprising oncological outcomes. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 8-8
Author(s):  
Peter Grimminger ◽  
Evangelos Tagkalos ◽  
Edin Hadzijusufovic ◽  
Benjamin Babic ◽  
Hauke Lang

Abstract Background Robot assisted surgery for esophageal cancer is rapidly increasing, especially high-volume centers with access to a robot. The fully robotic minimally invasive esophagectomy using 4 robotic arms in the abdomen and thorax (RAMIE4) is performed as standard procedure in our department. In this analysis we compare the results of our first 50 RAMIE4 procedures with our last 50 fully minimally-invasive esophagectomies (MIE), which was our standard prior the robotic era. Methods Between April 2016 and March 2018, the data from 100 consecutive patients with esophageal carcinoma undergoing modified Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy, performed by the same surgeon using the identical intrathoracic anastomotic reconstruction technique (circular stapler). 50 patients were treated with MIE and the other 50 with RAMIE4. Demographic data, extracted lymph nodes and R-status were compared. Complications occurred were compered according to the Dindo-Clavien classification. Results Demographic data did not show significant differences between the groups. The overall 30- and 90- mortality rates were 1% (1/100) and 3% (3/100) respectively (P = 0.305 and P = 0.499 respectively). In the RAMIE group the median lymph node harvest was significantly higher (27 vs. 23; P = 0.045), the median hospital stay was less in the RAMIE group, however not significantly (11.5d vs 13d; P = 0.112), the median ICU stay was significantly lower in the RAMIE group compared to MIE (1d vs 2.5d; P = 0.002). The complications according to the Dindo-Calvien classification were not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.091). Conclusion In this study we were able to demonstrate the superiority of robotic assisted lymph node dissection for esophageal cancer surgery in a highly comparable setting. In addition the perioperative parameters, especially ICU stay seem to be in favor of RAMIE. The future potential of standardized RAMIE and RAMIE4 seems to be high. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


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