Robot-assisted thoracoscopic oesophagectomy for cancer

• Published in: British journal of surgery Vol. 96; no. 8; pp. 878 - 886
• Main Authors: Boone, J., Schipper, M. E. I., Moojen, W. A., Borel Rinkes, I. H. M., Cromheecke, G. J. E., van Hillegersberg, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.08.2009; Wiley
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Loss, Surgical; Bronchoscopy; Endoscopy; Esophageal Neoplasms - pathology; Esophageal Neoplasms - surgery; Esophagectomy - methods; Female; General aspects; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Length of Stay; Lymph Node Excision; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Prospective Studies; Robotics; Thoracoscopy - methods; Treatment Outcome; Medicine; Treatment; Surgery; Endoscopy; Malignant tumor; Robot; Thoracoscopy; Cancer
• ISSN: 0007-1323; 1365-2168
• DOI: 10.1002/bjs.6647

Background: Thoracoscopic oesophagectomy was introduced to reduce the morbidity of transthoracic oesophagectomy. The aim was to assess the short‐ and mid‐term results of robot‐assisted thoracoscopic oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer. Methods: Between October 2003 and May 2007, 47 patients with resectable oesophageal cancer underwent robot‐assisted thoracoscopic oesophagectomy. Clinical data were collected prospectively. Results: Conversion to thoracotomy was necessary in seven patients. Median operating time was 450 min and median blood loss 625 ml. Median postoperative ventilation time was 1 day, intensive care stay 3 days and hospital stay 18 days. Twenty‐one of 47 patients had pulmonary complications. Three patients died in hospital. A median of 29 (range 8–68) lymph nodes was dissected and R0 resection was achieved in 36 patients. Twenty‐three patients had stage IVa disease. After a median follow‐up of 35 months, median disease‐free survival was 15 (95 per cent confidence interval 12 to 18) months. Conclusion: Robot‐assisted thoracoscopic oesophagectomy was oncologically acceptable. Operating time, blood loss and pulmonary complications might decrease with further experience. Copyright © 2009 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Similar outcomes to other types of oesophagectomy