Esophagectomy via left thoracotomy for esophageal cancer with situs inversus totalis: Report of a case

We report a case of successful esophagectomy via a left thoracotomy for esophageal cancer in a 57-year-old Japanese man with situs inversus totalis. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, performed to investigate the cause of dysphagia, revealed a 7-cm irregular shaped mass occupying more than half of the circumference of the middle-third of the esophagus. Computed tomography (CT) showed enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes and situs inversus totalis. Histological examination of a biopsy specimen revealed squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Although esophagectomy is usually performed through a right thoracotomy because of the left position of the aortic arch, we performed successful subtotal esophagectomy with radical lymph node dissection through a left thoracotomy. During surgery, we modifi ed the standard surgical technique in a mirrorimage fashion to complete the esophagectomy safely. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course.     

胸、腹腔镜联合手术治疗食管癌

目的探讨胸、腹腔镜联合下食管癌根治术技术上的可行性和安全性。方法对23例食管癌行电视胸腔镜联合腹腔镜下食管癌根治术：先左侧卧位行胸腔镜胸段食管的游离及淋巴结清扫;胸部手术完成后改平卧膀胱截石位行腹腔镜胃的游离及淋巴结清扫;胃游离后剑突下小切口完成管状胃的制作,再将管状胃从食管床拉至颈部与颈段食管间断吻合。结果中转开腹1例,无中转开胸。总手术时间：240～330min,平均270min;腹腔镜手术时间38～90min,平均65min;胸腔镜手术时间50～100min,平均70min。术中无大出血,总出血量100～300ml,平均225ml,其中腹腔出血10～50ml,平均20.4ml。共清扫纵隔淋巴结225枚,平均每例9.8枚;清扫胃左动脉旁、贲门左右淋巴结65枚,平均每例2.8枚。术后住院8～12d,平均9.2d。住院期间病人无死亡。术后并发症：肺部感染3例,颈部吻合口漏1例（术后第8天）,乳糜胸1例（开胸行乳糜管结扎后治愈）,声音嘶哑3例。23例随访1～11个月,平均7.7月,死亡1例,1例纵隔淋巴结广泛转移。结论胸、腹腔镜联合、颈部吻合的食管癌切除技术上是可行的,并且是安全的。     

A case of long-term survival after pulmonary resection for metachronous pulmonary metastasis of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

INTRODUCTIONBasaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (BSCE) is a rare malignancy among esophageal cancers. We reported a case of 63-year-old woman with metachronous pulmonary metastasis of BSCE, successfully treated by metastasectomy of the left lung.PRESENTATION OF CASEBiopsy specimens of upper gastrointestinal fiberscopy led to diagnosis of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Computed tomography revealed metastatic lymph nodes surrounding the bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve and no evidence of metastasis to distant organs. Curative esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection was performed through thoracoscopic approach. Pathological examination of the resected specimens led to diagnosis of BSCE with invasion into the submucosal layer of the esophageal wall. Two years later, a solitary oval-shaped pulmonary lesion of approximately 10 mm was detected in the left lung. Wedge resection of the left upper lobe was performed via thoracoscopic approach. The postoperative course was uneventful. Histologically, the pulmonary lesion was diagnosed as metastatic BSCE. Follow-up indicated no recurrence 9 years after the initial surgery.DISCUSSIONSurgical intervention was acceptable on this case of solitary pulmonary metastasis. However, data are lacking about the efficacy of pulmonary resection for metachronous pulmonary metastasis of BSCE because the postoperative outcome is usually poor. The efficacy of surgical intervention for metastatic lesions of BSCE is debatable and requires further examination.CONCLUSIONAlthough the usefulness of surgical intervention for metastatic lesions from BSCE is controversial, the patients with metachronous solitary metastasis to the lung and without extrapulmonary metastasis would be good candidate for pulmonary resection.     

俯卧位和左侧卧位胸腔镜食管切除术治疗食管癌疗效比较

目的比较俯卧位和左侧卧位两种胸腔镜治疗食管癌的临床效果。方法回顾性分析2008年9月至2010年9月在南京医科大学附属淮安第一医院胸心外科接受胸腔镜食管切除术、临床分期在T3N1M0以下的82例食管癌患者的临床资料,采用俯卧位和左侧卧位各41例。结果俯卧位组和左侧卧位组肿瘤位于食管上段分别为2例和3例：位于食管中段分别为12例和9例;位于食管下段分别为27例和29例。俯卧位组和左侧卧位组手术平均用时分别为230（170～3i0）min和280（190～380）min,差异有统计学意义（P=0．04）;术中平均出血量分别为275（100．320）ml和360（120～670）ml,差异无统计学意义（P=0．09）;平均清扫淋巴结数目分别为8．4（4～23）枚／例和6．9（6～21）枚／例,差异有统计学意义（P=0．03）。全组患者无围手术期死亡。两组分别有6例（14．6％）和8例（17．1％）患者出现术后并发症,差异无统计学意义（P=0．44）。俯卧位组术后平均随访15．7（2—28）个月,19例死亡;左侧卧位组术后平均随访16．3（3～31）个月,21例死亡．差异无统计学意义（P=O．14）。结论临床分期在T3N1M0以下的食管癌患者行胸腔镜手术治疗,采取俯卧位与左侧卧位手术疗效相同．但俯卧位手术时间短并有利于淋巴结清扫。     

Use of mini-invasive procedures in esophageal surgery.

The authors have applied the advantages of mini-invasive surgery to the treatment of esophageal diseases. The technical possibilities of esophageal dissection have been investigated in patients with cancer of the intrathoracic esophagus. The mini-invasive techniques have been applied in the clinical setting to perform the esophagectomy through a trans-hiatal approach or by means of thoracoscopy. Performing the esophagectomy through the trans-hiatal approach allows an accurate mediastinal dissection and lymphadenectomy of the paraesophageal nodes. Performing the esophagectomy by means of thoracoscopy requires division of the azygos vein. In our experience better to divide the esophagus high in the chest. At present, trans-hiatal esophagectomy with mini-invasive procedures seems to be the technique of choice. However, the approach based on thoracoscopy will gain popularity with the development of more sophisticated instruments. In selected cases, it could be advantageous to use both techniques.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND: The Ivor-Lewis procedure is a radical, invasive, and effective procedure for the resection of most esophageal cancers. To minimize invasiveness, we performed thoracoscopic and video-assisted esophagectomy and mediastinal dissection for esophageal cancer. METHODS: From November 1995 to June 1997, 23 patients with intrathoracic esophageal cancer, excluding T4 cancers, underwent thoracoscopic and video-assisted esophagectomy. Bilateral cervical dissections were performed as well as preparation of the gastric tube and transhiatal dissection of the lower esophagus. The cervical esophagus was cut using a stapler knife, and esophageal reconstruction was performed through the retrosternal route or anterior chest wall. Next, thoracoscopic mediastinal dissection and esophagectomy were performed. RESULTS: The mean volume of blood loss was 163 +/- 122 ml; mean thoracoscopic surgery duration, 111 +/- 24 min; mean postoperative day for patients to start eating, 8 +/- 3 days; and mean hospital stay, 26 +/- 8 days. No patient developed systemic inflammatory response syndrome postoperatively. Tracheal injury occurred and was repaired during the thoracoscopic approach in one patient. No patients died within 30 days after surgery. Postoperative complications included transient recurrent nerve palsy in five patients, pulmonary secretion retention requiring tracheotomy in two, and chylothorax in one. Five patients died of cancer recurrence within 1 year of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our surgical experience with thoracoscopic and video-assisted esophagectomy indicate that it is a feasible and useful procedure.     

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy combined with mediastinoscopy via the neck

Although thoracoscopic techniques have been introduced to esophageal surgery, the identification of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve and lymph node dissection along the nerve remain quite difficult. A mediastinoscopic technique via the neck enables an excellent visual field to be created in the upper mediastinum, especially near the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Therefore, a thoracoscopic esophagectomy combined with this technique allows mediastinal lymph nodes along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve to be easily and safely dissected.     

侧俯卧位胸、腹腔镜食管癌切除术的临床应用价值

目的探讨侧俯卧位胸、腹腔镜食管癌切除术的可行性和临床应用价值。方法2011年6月-2012年8月,对45例I～Ⅲ期食管癌行侧俯卧位胸、腹腔镜食管癌切除术。先侧俯卧位,在胸腔镜下经右胸游离食管并清扫胸部淋巴结;再改平卧位,头高脚低分腿位,右倾30^。,术者位于患者左侧、扶镜手位于患者两腿中间,在腹腔镜下游离胃并清扫腹部淋巴结;上腹正中5cm切口,将胃提出腹腔外,制成管状胃;左颈部斜切口,将胃由膈肌裂孑L经右胸上提到左颈部,与食管在左颈部吻合。结果全组45例无中转开胸开腹,手术时间（260±60）min。术中失血量（200±80）ml。术后胸腔引流总量（860±330）ml。术后住院时间（10±3）d。术后胸胃穿孔,二次手术后吻合口漏1例,肺部感染4例,喉返神经损伤2例,心律失常2例,切口感染1例,胃瘫1例。术后随访1～13个月,平均6．5月,无肿瘤复发或转移。结论侧俯卧位胸、腹腔镜食管癌切除术在技术上安全可行。     

Thoracoscopic resection of esophageal cancer with a tracheal diverticulum

Tracheal diverticulum, a benign entity characterized by single or multiple invaginations of the tracheal wall, is commonly asymptomatic and detected incidentally. We report the case of a 76-year-old man with a tracheal diverticulum who underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy with a three-field lymphadenectomy for middle thoracic esophageal cancer. The tracheal diverticulum was located at the right posterolateral region of the trachea, which overlapped the region of dissection of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph nodes. Paratracheal lymph node dissection is an important surgical procedure for thoracic esophageal cancer. In such cases, there is a risk of misidentifying a tracheal diverticulum as an enlarged lymph node and injuring it. Injury of a tracheal diverticulum causes serious complications such as mediastinal emphysema, mediastinitis, and pulmonary fistula. It is important to recognize its existence preoperatively and perform accurate lymph node dissection by taking full advantage of the magnified visual effect provided by thoracoscopic surgery.     

Lymph node metastases identified with mediastinoscopy in a patient with superficial carcinoma of the esophagus

Superficial esophageal cancers limited to the lamina propria are not associated with lymph node metastases. Mediastinoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy was planned in a patient with widespread superficial cancer of the midthoracic esophagus. Sampling of the upper mediastinal lymph nodes revealed metastases. The operation was converted to a transthoracic esophagectomy with radical lymphadenectomy. Histopathologic examination of the resection specimen showed three metastatic lymph nodes, despite local invasion limited to the lamina propria. This is the first report of a patient with superficial esophageal cancer and lymph node metastases.     

Intrathoracic Esophagogastric Anastomosis Using a Linear Stapler Following Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy in the Prone Position

Background

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) in the prone position typically includes thoracoscopic mediastinal dissection and laparoscopic gastric tube construction, followed by esophagogastric anastomosis in the neck. We introduced an intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis using linear staplers.

Technique

The lower mediastinal dissection and the gastric tube construction are done in the laparoscopic part of the operation. The esophagus is transected at the cranial level of the aortic arch after the completion of the upper mediastinal lymph node dissection in the prone position. The excess length of the gastric tube is sacrificed before making the anastomosis. Side-to-side esophagogastric anastomosis is performed using a 35-mm endoscopic linear stapler. The entry hole is closed with hand suturing using the posterior and the axillary port.

Results

Twenty-six patients with middle or lower esophageal tumor underwent MIE with an intrathoracic anastomosis. The mean thoracoscopic procedure time was 302 min. One patient had an anastomotic leakage, which was successfully managed with drainage. There has been no anastomotic stenosis. Pneumonia was observed in two patients. There was no mortality.

Conclusions

MIE with an intrathoracic linear-stapled anastomosis with the patient in the prone position is safe and feasible.     

侧俯卧位全腔镜食管癌手术淋巴结清扫的临床分析

目的总结侧俯卧位全腔镜食管癌切除术清扫胸腹二野淋巴结的临床经验。方法回顾性分析2009年9月-2011年2月82例全腔镜食管癌切除术与78例常规颈、胸、腹三切口食管癌切除术的临床资料。比较2组手术的胸腹部各区域淋巴结清扫数目、淋巴结转移度、生存率及术后并发症发生率。结果2组均顺利完成手术,2组清扫左右喉返神经旁淋巴结数目分别为（4．1±3．4）枚及（1．1±1．7）枚,上纵隔淋巴结数目分别为（6．8±5．O）枚及（4．9±4．0）枚,腔镜组均多于开放组（P〈0．05）。腔镜组3年生存率（65．4％）与开放组（62．3％）相似（10g—rank检验,X2=0．022,P=0．886）。结论侧俯卧位全腔镜食管癌切除淋巴结清扫疗效肯定,尤其是清扫上纵隔及左右喉返神经旁淋巴结方面,更为有效及彻底。     

Pattern of lymph node metastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus who underwent three-field lymphadenectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lymph nodes in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus might be involved with metastases at cervical, mediastinal, and abdominal sites. The range of lymph node dissection is still controversial. The pattern of lymph node metastasis and factors that are correlated with lymph node metastasis affect the surgical procedure of lymph node dissection. The purpose of the present study was to explore the pattern of lymph node metastasis and factors that are correlated with lymph node metastasis in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent three-field lymphadenectomy. METHODS: Lymph node metastases in 230 patients who underwent radical esophagectomy with three-field lymphadenectomy were analyzed. The metastatic sites of lymph nodes were correlated with tumor location by chi-square test. Logistic regression was used to analyze clinicopathological factors related to lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Lymph node metastases were found in 133 of the 230 patients (57.8%). The average number of resected lymph nodes was 25.3 +/- 11.4 (range 11-71). The proportions of lymph node metastases were 41.6, 19.44, and 8.3% in neck, thoracic mediastinum, and abdominal cavity, respectively, for patients with upper thoracic esophageal carcinomas, 33.3, 34.7, and 14%, respectively, in those with middle thoracic esophageal carcinomas, and 36.4, 34.1, and 43.2%, respectively, for patients with lower thoracic esophageal carcinomas. We did not observe any significant difference in lymph node metastatic rates among upper, middle, and lower thoracic carcinomas for cervical or thoracic nodes. The difference in lymph node metastatic rates for nodes in the abdominal cavity was significant among upper, middle, and lower thoracic carcinomas. The lower thoracic esophageal cancers were more likely to metastasize to the abdominal cavity than tumors at other thoracic sites. A logistic regression model showed that depth of tumor invasion and lymphatic vessel invasion were factors influencing lymph node metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our data, cervical and mediastinal node dissection should be performed independent of the tumor location. Abdominal node dissection should be conducted more vigorously for lower thoracic esophageal cancers than for cancers at other locations. Patients with deeper tumor invasion or lymphatic vessel invasion were more likely to develop lymph node metastases.     

腔镜辅助下McKeown术式切除食管癌18年经验总结

目的总结腔镜辅助下McKeown术式切除食管癌的单中心18年经验体会。 方法回顾性分析1997年8月至2015年6月在温州医科大学附属台州医院胸外科行食管癌切除的639例患者的临床资料,其中在腔镜辅助下完成McKeown食管癌切除手术622例(97.34%)。食管肿瘤位于上、中、下段分别占7.98%、63.54%和28.48%,其中8.92%的患者术前接受放化疗。TNM分期中,0、Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ期分别占10.33%、29.26%、42.10%、15.02%和3.29%;病理检查为鳞癌占92.02%,腺癌及其他类型占7.98%。手术采用腔镜辅助下经右胸、上腹、左颈入路,其中胸腔镜＋开腹占44.60%,胸腔镜＋腹腔镜占47.26%,开胸＋腹腔镜占5.48%,非计划中转开胸或开腹占2.66%。 结果胸腔镜下食管游离及胸腔淋巴结清扫时间为(78.6±36.9)min,腹腔镜下胃游离及腹区淋巴结清扫时间为(55.4±19.5)min;胸腔镜手术出血量为(99.5±79.2)ml,腹腔镜手术出血量为(40.5±23.4)ml。每例患者平均清扫淋巴结总数为(24.1±12.4)枚,其中胸腔淋巴结清扫(14.9±8.1)枚,腹腔淋巴结清扫(9.1±5.5)枚,颈区淋巴结清扫(1.5±1.3)枚。全组术中无死亡病例,术中因奇静脉或脾脏损伤出血4例,电凝钩或超声刀误伤气管4例,非病灶原因胸导管损伤13例,心房纤颤11例,食管切缘阳性R₁切除者4例。术后早期并发症超过10例次的包括肺部感染(11.42%)、颈部吻合瘘(7.04%)、心律失常(4.85%)、胸腔积液需要置管(3.29%)、喉返神经损伤(3.13%),术后乳糜胸(2.03%)。术后早期死亡6例(0.94%),分别为术后呼吸衰竭3例、气管管胃瘘后肺部严重感染1例、难控性高血糖并颈部吻合口瘘迁延不愈及多器官衰竭1例、胸胃瘘或坏死致主动脉腐蚀破裂出血1例。术后接受放化疗307例(48.04%);术后随访率为90.8%,平均随访时间(44.5±33.1)个月;术后1、2、3、5年的生存率分别为83.9%、69.7%、57.1%和45.5%。 结论腔镜辅助下McKeown术式食管癌切除在肿瘤R₀切除,以及术后近远期疗效上是可行且有效的。     

Roboterassistierte minimal-invasive Ösophagektomie

Esophagolymphadenectomy is the cornerstone of multimodality treatment for resectable esophageal cancer. The preferred surgical approach is transthoracic, with a two-field lymph node dissection and gastric conduit reconstruction. A minimally invasive approach has been shown to reduce postoperative complications and increase quality of life. Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) was developed to facilitate this complex thoracoscopic procedure. RAMIE has been shown to be safe with good oncologic results and reduced morbidity. The use of RAMIE opens new indications for curative surgery in patients with T4b tumors, high mediastinal tumors, and lymph node metastases after neoadjuvant treatment.     

Thoracoscopic surgery in the prone position for esophageal cancer in patients with situs inversus totalis: A report of two cases

IntroductionSitus inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare congenital condition characterized by a complete transposition of thoracic and abdominal organs. Here, we present two successful cases of left thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position for SIT-associated esophageal cancer.Presentation of caseOur first case was of an 82-year-old man who underwent a left thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position, followed by hand-assisted laparoscopic gastric mobilization. Surgical duration and blood loss were 661 min and 165 g, respectively. His postoperative course was uneventful. The second case was of a 66-year-old man who underwent a left thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position, followed by gastric mobilization via laparotomy owing to a concomitant intestinal malrotation and polysplenia. Surgical duration and blood loss were 637 min and 220 g, respectively. We trained for the surgical procedures preoperatively using left-inverted and right-inverted thoracoscopic surgical videos of patients with normal anatomy.DiscussionSurgical procedures in SIT patients are challenging owing to their mirrored anatomy. Recognition of their variations is thus important to avoid intraoperative accidental injuries. Left-inverted and right-inverted thoracoscopic surgical videos of patients with normal anatomy were found to be useful for image training prior to the actual surgery.ConclusionThoracoscopic surgical treatment for esophageal cancer associated with SIT in the prone position can be performed safely, similar to the manner performed for thoracoscopic surgery in the right decubitus position, or surgery via an open thoracotomy. Gastric mobilization via laparotomy should be considered in patients associated other anatomic variations.     

Subtotal esophagectomy with extended 2-field lymph node dissection for thoracic esophageal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of the Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with extended 2-field lymph node dissection for thoracic esophageal carcinoma we reviewed our experience. METHODS: We analyzed the cases of 147 consecutive patients who underwent subtotal esophagectomy with extended 2-field lymph node dissection through Ivor Lewis approach for esophageal cancer from January 1996 through December 2000. Eighty-six patients were operated on for cancer of the midthoracic esophagus, 48 for cancer of the lower thoracic esophagus, and 13 for cancer of the aortal segment of the esophagus. No patient had received chemotherapy or radiotherapy before operation. RESULTS: There were 113 men (76.9%) and 34 women. Median age was 57 years (range 51-65 years). Postsurgical pathological studies revealed squamous cell carcinoma in 139 patients (94.6%), adenocarcinoma in five (3.4%), and adenosquamous carcinoma in three (2%). Positive abdominal and/or mediastinal lymph nodes were found in 122 patients (82.9%). At mean 43 nodes (range from 32 up to 75) were studied for each patient. Even in T(1)-T(2) tumors mediastinal or abdominal lymph nodes are involved in up to 80% of cases. However, in T(3)-T(4) stages the frequency of lymph node involvement is significantly higher (P<0.05). Postsurgical staging was as follows: stage I in three patients (2%), stage IIa in 20 (13.6%), stage IIb in 29 (19.7%), stage III in 54 (36.8%), and stage IV in 41 (27.9%). All distant metastases were lymphogenous. The operative mortality rate was 6.1%, and complications occurred in 62 patients (42.1%). The overall 5-year survive rate was 28.8% (median survival 36.1 months). The 5-year survival rate for patients in stage IIa was 59%; for those in stage IIb, 39.5%; for patients in stage III, 26.7%; and 0% for patients in stage IV. CONCLUSIONS: Subtotal esophagectomy with extended 2-field lymph node dissection through Ivor Lewis approach for esophageal cancer is a safe operation. Long-term survival is stage dependent. Effective multimodality treatment may be helpful for patients with advanced disease.     

Minimally invasive resection of synchronous triple primary tumors of the esophagus,lung, and thymus: A case report

IntroductionReports of synchronous multiple primary tumors are very rare. We report a case of synchronous esophagus and lung cancer combined with thymoma treated with a minimally invasive approach.Presentation of caseIn a 63-year-old patient, cT2 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was found. Chest computed tomography revealed a lesion in the right upper lobe combined with an antero-superior mediastinal mass. She was treated with one-stage bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic + laparoscopic esophagectomy with lymph node dissection and lobectomy with complete lymphadenectomy followed by thymomectomy and demonstrated a favorable response at early follow-up, without severe adverse surgical complications and evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis. But the long-term follow-up is still needed for the evaluation of therapeutic effects of surgery.DiscussionIn the diagnostic procedure we excluded the probability of esophageal carcinoma metastasizing to the lung. Considering the patient's physical condition permit, we performed a minimally invasive surgery for three tumors. Besides, suitable operative incisions are important for the success of surgery.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first case report in which simultaneous minimally invasive resection of esophagus and lung cancer combined with thymoma.     

Brachial plexus paralysis after thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in the prone position: A thought-provoking case report of an unexpected complication

IntroductionDuring prone esophagectomy, placement of a port in the third intercostal space for upper mediastinal dissection requires adequate axillary expansion. To facilitate this, the right arm is elevated cranially and simultaneously turned outward. Brachial plexus paralysis associated with esophagectomy in the prone position has not been documented.Presentation of caseA 58-year-old man diagnosed with middle intrathoracic esophageal cancer was referred to our department. Thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position was performed following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After surgery, he complained of difficulty moving his right arm. Physical examination revealed perceptual dysfunction and movement disorder in the territory of cervical spinal nerve 6. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated the injury in the right posterior cord of the brachial plexus at the costoclavicular space. Therefore, we diagnosed the patient with right brachial plexus injury caused by the intraoperative position. The postoperative course was uneventful other than the brachial plexus paralysis, and he was discharged on postoperative day 23. He underwent continuous rehabilitation as an outpatient, and the right brachial plexus paralysis had completely disappeared by 2 months after surgery.DiscussionThis is the first case of brachial plexus injury during thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position. In prone esophagectomy, managing the patient’s position, especially the head and arm positions, is so important to avoid brachial plexus injury due to intraoperative positioning.ConclusionThe clinicians should consider managing the patient’s position with anatomical familiarity to avoid brachial plexus injury due to intraoperative positioning.     

Natural orifice transesophageal mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy

Background Thoracoscopy and mediastinoscopy are common procedures with painful incisions and prominent scars. A natural orifice transesophageal endoscopic surgical (NOTES) approach could reduce pain, eliminate intercostal neuralgia, provide access to the posterior mediastinal compartment, and improve cosmesis. In addition NOTES esophageal access routes also have the potential to replace conventional thoracoscopic approaches for medial or hilar lesions. Methods Five healthy Yorkshire swine underwent nonsurvival natural orifice transesophageal mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy under general anesthesia. An 8- to 9.8-mm video endoscope was introduced into the esophagus, and a 10-cm submucosal tunnel was created with blunt dissection. The endoscope then was passed through the muscular layers of the esophagus into the mediastinal space. The mediastinal compartment, pleura, lung, mediastinal lymph nodes, thoracic duct, vagus nerves, and exterior surface of the esophagus were identified. Mediastinal lymph node resection was easily accomplished. For thoracoscopy, a small incision was created through the pleura, and the endoscope was introduced into the thoracic cavity. The lung, chest wall, pleura, pericardium, and diaphragmatic surface were identified. Pleural biopsies were obtained with endoscopic forceps. The endoscope was withdrawn and the procedure terminated. Results Mediastinal and thoracic structures could be identified without difficulty via a transesophageal approach. Lymph node resection was easily accomplished. Pleural biopsy under direct visualization was feasible. Selective mainstem bronchus intubation and collapse of the ipsilateral lung facilitated thoracoscopy. In one animal, an inadvertent 4-mm lung incision resulted in a pneumothorax. This was decompressed with a small venting intercostal incision, and the remainder of the procedure was completed without difficulty. Conclusions Transesophageal endoscopic mediastinoscopy, lymph node resection, thoracoscopy, and pleural biopsy are feasible and provide excellent visualization of mediastinal and intrathoracic structures. Survival studies will be needed to confirm the safety of this approach.