@article{JTD511,
author = {Rachel L.G.M. Blom and Jean H.G. Klinkenbijl and Markus W. Hollmann and Jacques J.G.H.M. Bergman and Miguel A. Cuesta and Willem A. Bemelman and Olivier R.C. Busch and M.I. van Berge Henegouwen},
title = {Results of the introduction of a minimally invasive esophagectomy program in a tertiary referral center},
journal = {Journal of Thoracic Disease},
volume = {4},
number = {5},
year = {2012},
keywords = {},
abstract = {Background: Esophagectomy is accompanied by a high postoperative complication rate. Minimally invasive esophageal
surgery appears to be a promising technique that might be associated with a lower pulmonary morbidity rate. The
objective of this study was to describe the implementation of minimally invasive esophageal surgery in a tertiary referral
center and to compare the results of our first series of minimally invasive esophagectomies (MIE) to conventional open
esophagectomies.
Methods: MIE was implemented after several procedures had been proctored by a surgeon with extensive experience
with MIE. Preoperative characteristics and the postoperative course of patients who underwent a transthoracic
esophagectomy were prospectively registered. Morbidity and overall hospital stay were compared between minimally
invasive and open resections performed in the same period.
Results: A total of 90 consecutive esophageal cancer patients underwent a transthoracic resection, 41 patients by means of
a minimally invasive approach. Preoperative characteristics were comparable for both groups. The duration of surgery was
longer in the MIE group (6.0 vs. 5.2 hours, P<0.001) and median blood loss was lower [100 vs. 500 mL (P<0.001)]. There
was only a trend towards a shorter hospital stay in the MIE group (11 vs. 13 days, P=0.072), pulmonary complications
occurred in 20% of patients in the MIE group vs. 31% in the open group (P=0.229). The overall complication rate was
51% in the MIE group vs. 63% in the open group, P=0.249.
Conclusions: Implementation of MIE in our center was successful and it appears to be a safe technique for patients with
potentially curable esophageal carcinoma.},
issn = {2077-6624}, url = {https://jtd.amegroups.org/article/view/511}
}