Minimally invasive esophagectomy

Esophageal resection is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) might theoretically decrease this rate. We reviewed the current literature on MIE, with a focus on the available techniques, outcomes and comparison with open surgery. This review shows that the available literature on MIE is still crowded with heterogeneous studies with different techniques. There are no controlled and randomized trials, and the few retrospective comparative cohort studies are limited by small numbers of patients and biased by historical controls of open surgery. Based on the available literature, there is no evidence that MIE brings clear benef its compared to conventional esophagectomy. Increasing experience and the report of larger series might change this scenario.     

Lymph node dissection with cervical approach as a salvage surgery for locoregional failure after definitive chemoradiotherapy in a patient with recurrent esophageal carcinoma: report of a case

Salvage surgery is one important therapeutic option after locoregional failure of definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) in patients with advanced or recurrent esophageal carcinoma. We have performed cervical lymph node dissection as a salvage surgery after chemoradiotherapy in a patient with recurrent esophageal carcinoma. A 54-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital because of multiple lymph node metastases after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early-stage esophageal carcinoma. The patient underwent a circumferential ESD of early-stage esophageal carcinoma in another hospital. The esophageal carcinoma, measuring 75 × 60 mm in size, was a superficial spreading type located in the middle portion of the thoracic esophagus. Histology of the resected specimen revealed a moderately to poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, and the depth of invasion was limited within the mucosal layer associated with a small area being attached to the muscularis mucosae. Five months after ESD, lymph node metastases in the regions of right recurrent nerve and the left tracheobronchus were found, for which dCRT was performed. These metastatic lymph nodes disappeared in the chest CT scan images. Lymph node metastasis in the region of the right recurrent nerve then reappeared 8 months after the completion of CRT. Considering the solitary lymph node metastasis and surgical invasiveness, lymph node dissection using a cervical approach was selected as a salvage surgery. Cervical approach for the lymph node dissection in the region of right recurrent nerve may be one feasible option as a minimally invasive salvage surgery for patients with recurrent esophageal carcinoma after dCRT.     

胃癌淋巴结转移规律及其清扫范围探讨

目的　探讨胃癌淋巴结转移规律及其清扫范围。方法　对188例接受手术治疗的胃癌患者,于术中用美蓝-胃癌单克隆抗体(MAb)3H11标记淋巴结,并对染色淋巴结进行清扫,术后统计切除标本的淋巴结转移情况及病理特征。结果 188例胃癌患者的淋巴结转移率为62.8％(118／188)。胃上1／3(U区)、中1／3(M区)、下1／3(L区)及全胃癌患者的淋巴结转移率分别为61.9％、60.0％、57.5％及95.0％。早、中、晚期胃癌患者淋巴结转移率依次呈递增趋势,P<0.05。浸润型(Ⅲ、Ⅳ型)转移率(76.1％)明显高于局限型(Ⅰ、Ⅱ型)(44.3％),P<0.05。肿瘤直径≤4cm、-7cm和≥8cm者的淋巴结转移率依次增加,差异有显著性,P均<0.01。结论 胃癌淋巴结转移率较高。尤其晚期、浸润型及直径>4cm的胃癌,其淋巴结转移率更高,术中应按胃癌的临床病理分期、部位、大小及Borrman分型,选择淋巴结清扫范围。如果根据术中美蓝-MAb3H11标记结果确定淋巴清扫范围将更准确可靠。     

Lymph node ratio-based staging system for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To analyze a modified staging system utilizing lymph node ratio (LNR) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).METHODS: Clinical data of 2011 patients with ESCC who underwent surgical resection alone between January 1995 and June 2010 at the Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College were reviewed. The LNR, or node ratio (Nr) was defined as the ratio of metastatic LNs ompared to the total number of resected LNs. Overall survival between groups was compared with the log-rank test. The cutoff point of LNR was established by grouping patients with 10% increment in Nr, and then combining the neighborhood survival curves using the log-rank test. A new TNrM staging system, was constructed by replacing the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) N categories with the Nr categories in the new TNM staging system. The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the seventh edition AJCC staging system and the TNrM staging system.RESULTS: The median number of resected LNs was 12 (range: 4-44), and 25% and 75% interquartile rangeswere8 and 16. Patients were classified into four Nr categories with distinctive survival differences (Nr0: LNR = 0; Nr1: 0% < LNR ≤ 10%; Nr2: 10% < LNR ≤ 20%; and Nr3: LNR > 20%). From N categories to Nr categories, 557 patients changed their LN stage. The median survival time (MST) for the four Nr categories (Nr0-Nr3) was 155.0 mo, 39.0 mo, 28.0 mo, and 19.0 mo, respectively, and the 5-year overall survival was 61.1%, 41.1%, 33.0%, and 22.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). Overall survival was significantly different for the AJCC N categories when patients were subgrouped into 15 or more vs fewer than 15 examined nodes, except for the N3 category (P = 0.292). However, overall survival was similar when the patients in all four Nr categories were subgrouped into 15 or more vs fewer than 15 nodes. Using the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic, we found that the Nr category and TNrM stage had higher accuracy in predicting survival than the AJCC N category and TNM stage.CONCLUSION: A staging system based on LNR may have better prognostic stratification of patients with ESCC than the current TNM system, especially for those undergoing limited lymphadenectomy.     

Minimally invasive surgery in gastric cancer

Minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer has rapidly gained popularity due to the early detection of early gastric cancer. As advances in instruments and the accumulation of laparoscopic experience increase, laparoscopic techniques are being used for less invasive but highly technical procedures. Recent evidence suggests that the short- and long-term outcomes of minimally invasive surgery for early gastric cancer and advanced gastric cancer are comparable to those of conventional open surgery. However, these results should be confirmed by large-scale multicenter prospective randomized controlled clinical trials.     

Minimally invasive radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

Background Thoracoabdominal esophagectomy with three-field lymphadenectomy is considered one of the best treatments for thoracic esophageal carcinoma because the disease is aggressive and lymph node metastasis is common. However, the efficacy of the procedure remains unclear, and it is associated with high postoperative mortality and morbidity. Methods Seventy patients with esophageal carcinoma underwent thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy with three-field lymphadenectomy. We retrospectively reviewed our procedure and the short-term surgical outcome of both thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy. Results In 70 patients, duration of the thoracoscopic and total procedure was 229 ± 50 min and 581 ± 82 min, respectively. For all procedures, estimated blood loss was 447 ± 227 g. Overall mortality was 1%. Postoperative major complications occurred in 18 patients (26%), and respiratory complications occurred in 11 patients (16%). Conclusion Radical esophagectomy via thoracoscopy and laparoscopy is technically safe and feasible. We consider that the superior visualization and magnified view provided by thoracoscopy and the smaller surgical wounds in thorax and abdomen will prove advantageous to the postoperative clinical course and surgical outcome in spite of the longer operation time.     

Minimally invasive esophagectomy versus open esophagectomy,a symptom assessment study

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is used with hope to decrease the morbidity associated with an open esophagectomy. Reflux and dumping syndromes are the most important functional complaints in patients after esophagectomy. This study compares the functional benefits of MIE with open esophagectomy. The study enrolled patients who underwent either minimally invasive or open esophagectomy for cancer between 2004 and 2009. No patients in the MIE group had a pyloroplasty or myotomy. Each patient in the MIE group was paired to a patient in the open esophagectomy group via propensity matching. Matching variables included age, race, gender, preoperative treatment, history of prior cancer, American Society of Anesthesiologists Risk Scale, performance status, clinical stage, body mass index, histology, level of anastomosis, and time elapsed since surgery. The patients were asked to answer 26 questions about their reflux and dumping using validated questionnaires. A total of 181 patients were included in the study. From this group, 44 pairs of patients were created and used for the analysis. The median follow‐up was 12.1 months for the MIE group and 18.3 months for the open group. The reflux score was slightly worse in the MIE group (5.5 versus 3.5, P= 0.021). There was no difference in the dumping symptoms between the two groups. The most common complaints seen in the dumping questionnaire in almost one‐third of all patients were early satiety, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and diarrhea. Of the patients, 77% were satisfied or very satisfied with their condition in the MIE group compared with 93% in the open group (P= 0.287). Reflux, dumping, and overall satisfaction after MIE without pyloroplasty are comparable with those obtained after open esophagectomy with a pyloric drainage procedure.     

Three-field vs two-field lymph node dissection for esophageal cancer: A meta-analysis

AIM: To assess the effects of 3-field lymphadenectomy for esophageal carcinoma.METHODS: We conducted a computerized literature search of the PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and EMBASE databases from their inception to present. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational epidemiological studies (cohort studies) that compared the survival rates and/or postoperative complications between 2-field lymphadenectomy (2FL) and 3-field lymphadenectomy (3FL) for esophageal carcinoma with R0 resection were included. Meta-analysis was conducted using published data on 3FL vs 2FL in esophageal carcinoma patients. End points were 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates and postoperative complications, including recurrent nerve palsy, anastomosis leak, pulmonary complications, and chylothorax. Subgroup analysis was performed on the involvement of recurrent laryngeal lymph nodes.RESULTS: Two RCTs and 18 observational studies with over 7000 patients were included. There was a clear benefit for 3FL in the 1- (RR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.09-1.24; P < 0.01), 3- (RR = 1.44; 95%CI: 1.19-1.75; P < 0.01), and 5-year overall survival rates (RR = 1.37; 95%CI: 1.18-1.59; P < 0.01). For postoperative complications, 3FL was associated with significantly more recurrent nerve palsy (RR = 1.43; 95%CI: 1.28-1.60; P = 0.02) and anastomosis leak (RR = 1.26; 95%CI: 1.05-1.52; P = 0.09). In contrast, there was no significant difference for pulmonary complications (RR = 0.93; 95%CI: 0.75-1.16, random-effects model; P = 0.27) or chylothorax (RR = 0.77; 95%CI: 0.32-1.85; P = 0.69).CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis shows that 3FL improves overall survival rate but has more complications. Because of the high heterogeneity among outcomes, definite conclusions are difficult to draw.     

食管癌环氧化酶-2的高表达与淋巴转移的关系

目的　探讨环氧化酶 -2 (COX -2 )在食管癌中的表达情况及其与淋巴结转移的关系。方法　应用免疫组织化学方法(SP法 ) ,检测 1999～ 2 0 0 1年手术切除的 76例食管癌病人中COX -2的表达。其中有食管旁淋巴结转移者 18例 ,胃左动脉旁淋巴结转移者 11例。结果　COX -2在食管癌中的表达率为 81 6 %,主要为癌组织的表达 ,而在癌旁组织几乎不表达 ;食管癌旁和胃左动脉旁淋巴结转移组COX -2的表达水平均高于未转移组 (P <0 0 0 1)。结论　食管癌中COX -2的高度表达与食管癌的发生、发展及淋巴结转移有关 ,提示COX -2可能是防治食管癌的一个靶位。     

Minimally invasive surgery for oesophageal cancer

Worldwide an increasing part of oncologic oesophagectomies is performed in a minimally invasive way. Over the past decades multiple reports have addressed the perioperative outcomes and oncologic safety of minimally invasive oesophageal surgery. Although many of these (retrospective) case–control studies identified minimally invasive oesophagectomy as a safe alternative to open techniques, the clear benefit remained subject to debate. Recently, this controversy has partially resolved due to the results of the first randomized controlled trial that compared both techniques. In this trial short-term benefits of minimally invasive oesophagectomy were demonstrated in terms of lower incidence of pulmonary infections, shorter hospital stay and better postoperative quality of life. However, the current lack of long-term data on recurrence rate and overall survival precludes a comprehensive comparison of minimally invasive and open oesophagectomy. Proclaiming minimally invasive oesophagectomy as the standard of care for patients with resectable oesophageal cancer would therefore be a premature decision.     

Minimally invasive surgery for submucosal(subepithelial) tumors of the stomach

Minimally invasive surgery has become common in the surgical resection of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors(SMTs). The purpose of this article is to review recent trends in minimally invasive surgery for gastric SMTs. Although laparoscopic resection has been main stream of minimally invasive surgery for gastrointestinal SMTs, recent advances in endoscopic procedures now provide various treatment modalities for gastric SMTs. Moreover, investigators have developed several hybrid techniques that include the advantages of both laparoscopic and endoscopic procedure. In addition, several types of reduced port surgeries, modification of conventional laparoscopic procedures, have been recently applied to the surgical resection of SMTs. Meanwhile, robotic surgery for SMTs requires further evidence and improvement.     

Radical minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer via transcervical and transhiatal approaches: a narrative review

ObjectiveMinimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has been widely applied for the treatment of esophageal carcinoma. It is much less invasive, as it avoids employing a transthoracic procedure.BackgroundMIE via transcervical and transhiatal approaches has been adopted in our center. In this approach, with the assistance of single-port techniques or robotic-assisted surgical systems, the esophagus is mobilized under visualization, which is followed by the removal of esophageal and mediastinal lymph nodes.MethodsIncreasing the surgical space by mediastinal insufflation or by elevation of the sternum with a hook may improve intraoperative identification of tissues and facilitate intraoperative mobilizations. The procedure can be performed simultaneously via both cervical and abdominal approaches without the need for intraoperative turning of the patient, which shortens the operative time. Also, there is no need for thoracotomy or single-lung ventilation, which avoids disturbance to the respiratory and circulation systems.ConclusionsSuitable instruments, especially state-of-the-art energy instruments, facilitate surgical separation and hemostasis. This surgical procedure has become increasingly sophisticated over the past decade, and its modular operation has been widely recognized. The feasible place of the neck-esophageal hiatus rendezvous is on the left main bronchus around the subcarinal region. Here we describe the technical features, key steps, and necessary precautions of this minimally invasive surgery for esophageal carcinoma.     

CT检查食管癌不同区域淋巴结转移规律分析

目的探讨CT检查食管癌不同区域淋巴结转移规律。方法回顾性分析118例行根治性切除术的食管癌病例,术前行下颈区、纵隔、上腹部CT扫描,观察测量不同区域淋巴结的大小及个数,判断转移情况,术后与病理诊断对照分析。结果全组淋巴结总转移率为38.1%,纵隔和上腹部的淋巴结转移率较高,分别为36.7%和41.6%。术前CT检查食管癌不同区域淋巴结转移的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为下颈区75.0%、84.5%、27.2%、96.9%,纵隔63.0%、90.1%、65.3%、92.1%,上腹部70.0%、97.2%、70.0%、97.2%。结论术前CT检查下颈区、纵隔、上腹部能比较准确地反映食管癌淋巴结转移的分布规律,对下颈区淋巴结转移的灵敏度较高。     

Clinical significance of immunohistochemically detected lymph node micrometastasis in patients with histologically node-negative esophageal carcinoma: a multi-institutional study

Background  In esophageal carcinoma, the clinical significance of immunohistochemically (IHC)-detected lymph node (LN) micrometastasis is still controversial. We designed this multicenter study to determine the clinical significance of IHC-detected LN micrometastasis in esophageal carcinoma. Methods  The subjects were 164 patients with histopathologically confirmed LN-negative esophageal carcinoma from eight hospitals. A similar IHC technique was used in all institutions, and micrometastasis was diagnosed by a researcher at each hospital as well as independently by pathologists with special interest in esophageal carcinoma. Results  IHC-related micrometastasis in LN was considered positive in 51 (31%) patients by the researchers and in 25 (15%) by the pathologists. The latter micrometastases were further classified into a single (n = 13) and clusters (n = 12) of immunopositive-LN. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that researcher-based diagnosis of micrometastasis had no significant impact on prognosis whereas the cluster-type micrometastasis diagnosed by pathologists had a significant impact on prognosis. Conclusions  We speculate that the inconsistent results of IHC analyses reported in the literature are caused by the use of different definitions of micrometastasis and the subjective nature of diagnosis of micrometastasis, i.e., dependence on the examiner. Our multiinstitutional study also indicates that the morphological aspects of immunostained cells should be considered when assessing micrometastasis in LN by IHC and that only LN with clusters of IHC-positive cells are prognostically significant in esophageal carcinoma.     

Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery

Aortic valve disease is a prevalent disorder that affects approximately 2% of the general adult population. Surgical aortic valve replacement is the gold standard treatment for symptomatic patients. This treatment has demonstrably proven to be both safe and effective. Over the last few decades, in an attempt to reduce surgical trauma, different minimally invasive approaches for aortic valve replacement have been developed and are now being increasingly utilized. A narrative review of the literature was carried out to describe the surgical techniques for minimally invasive aortic valve surgery and report the results from different experienced centers. Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is associated with low perioperative morbidity, mortality and a low conversion rate to full sternotomy. Long-term survival appears to be at least comparable to that reported for conventional full sternotomy. Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery, either with a partial upper sternotomy or a right anterior minithoracotomy provides early- and long-term benefits. Given these benefits, it may be considered the standard of care for isolated aortic valve disease.     

Minimally invasive esophagectomy learning curves with different types of background experience

BackgroundMinimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is a complex procedure with learning associated morbidity. The aim was to evaluate the learning curve for MIE focusing on short-term outcomes in two settings: (I) experienced MIE surgeon in new hospital (Hospital 1); (II) surgeons experienced with open esophagectomy and minimally invasive surrogate surgery (Hospital 2).MethodsIn Hospital 1 and Hospital 2, on intent-to-treat basis number of MIEs were 132 and 57, respectively. The primary outcomes were major complications and anastomosis leaks. Secondary outcomes were operative time, blood loss, lymph node yield, hospital stay and 1-year mortality. Length of learning curves were analyzed with risk-adjusted cumulative sum (RA-CUSUM) method.ResultsIn Hospital 1, major complication and anastomosis leak rates were 9.8% and 4.5%, 22.8% and 12.3% in Hospital 2, respectively. In Hospital 1, complication and leak rates remained stable. In Hospital 2, improvement occurred after 34 cases in major complications and 29 cases in leaks. Of secondary outcomes, improvements were seen in Hospital 1 in operative time after 61, blood loss after 86, lymph node yield after 52, hospital stay after 19 and 1-year mortality after 24 cases. In Hospital 2, improvement occurred in operative time after 30, blood loss after 15, lymph node yield after 45, hospital stay after 50 and 1-year mortality after 15 cases.ConclusionsAccording to this study, learning phase of the individual surgeon determines the outcomes of MIE, not the institutional learning phase.     

经右胸微小切口微创心脏瓣膜手术

目的 探讨右胸微小切口（4～5 cm）微创心脏瓣膜手术的可行性和优越性.方法 回顾性分析经右胸微小切口（4～5 cm）微创心脏瓣膜手术89例的临床资料,其中男性38例,女性51例,对手术方法、主要并发症和手术适应证进行分析总结.结果 本组手术包括MVR 50例,MVP 11例,MVR＋TVP＋MAZE 2例,MVR＋PFO缝闭3例,MVR＋赘生物清除2例,MVR＋ASD修补＋TVP 3例,MVR＋TVP 8例;AVR 8例;MVR＋AVR 2例.右胸切口长度4～5 cm.术后并发症包括：二次开胸止血6例,伤口延迟愈合5例.无神经系统并发症,无肺部并发症,无肝肾功能不全.89例患者均痊愈出院.结论 掌握好手术适应证,经右胸微小切口行微创心脏瓣膜手术是安全可行的,疗效满意,创伤小,恢复快,切口美观,患者满意度高.     

Factors influencing lymph node harvest in colorectal surgery

Background and aims Lymphadenectomy in colorectal cancer is a critical component concerning prognosis and survival of patients. Several variables influence the number of harvested lymph nodes (LN). However, results of studies are contradictory, and influencing factors remain to be identified. The aim of the present study was to identify factors that have a significant influence on the number of assessed LN in oncologic colorectal cancer resection. Materials and methods Three hundred and forty-one patients (190 men and 151 women), who underwent a colorectal cancer resection in a curative intention in the years 2000–2005, were analysed retrospectively. All specimens were histologically examined by two pathologists. Results In a median, 15.1 LN per operation were resected. Early tumour stage (p < 0.01), length of resected bowel segment (p < 0.05) and right-sided location (p < 0.001) had a significant influence on the number of resected LN. Age, gender, surgeon volume, differentiation of the tumour, LN metastases, lymphatic invasion and depth of tumour invasion had no significant association with harvested LN number. Furthermore, the presence or absence of the vermiform appendix and the length of the resected ileum segment in right-sided resections did not significantly affect the assessed LN. Conclusion The question arises whether for colorectal cancers of all locations the same amount of resected and analysed LNs should be lasting to fulfill oncologic criteria, as the number of harvested LNs depends on several parameters.