Minimally invasive esophagectomy: thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization for esophageal cancer with the patient in prone position

Background  

Surgical resection is the mainstay treatment for resectable esophageal cancer. Minimally invasive esophagectomy is performed with increasing frequency and proves to be a safe and effective surgical alternative to the open technique. Minimally invasive esophagectomy using thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization with the patient in prone position seems to offer some advantages with regard to surgeon ergonomics and clinical outcome.     

Efficacy and safety of artificial pneumothorax under two-lung ventilation in thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in the prone position

Background

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer performed using two-lung ventilation in the prone position has many advantages, such as convenient anesthesia induction and maintenance, and good oxygenation. We examined the safety of surgery and anesthetic management by following chronological changes in intraoperative respiration and hemodynamics.

Methods

We focused on the most recent and consecutive 14 cases of thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in the prone position performed from November 2010 until recently. We measured the following items by use of FloTrac system : cardiac index (CI), central venous pressure (CVP), mean arterial pressure, partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO₂), partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO₂), peak airway pressure (APmax), and tidal volume.

Results

No major changes were observed in CI, systolic blood pressure, and TV after the start of pneumothorax (statically not significant). Conversely, CVP increased immediately after pneumothorax (p < 0.05) and decreased almost to its original level thereafter. The mean APmax value was 18–20 cm H₂O [mean increase, 4.2 cm H₂O; (p < 0.05)]. The mean P/F ratio and mean PaCO₂ were 244.4 and 48.3 mmHg, respectively, during artificial pneumothorax.

Conclusion

No excessive increases in airway pressure or clear circulatory depressions were observed because of artificial pneumothorax under two-lung ventilation in thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in the prone position. These results suggest that artificial pneumothorax under two-lung ventilation is beneficial for maintaining stable hemodynamics and oxygenation in thoracoscopic esophagectomy in prone position.     

不同体位胸腔镜食管切除术的临床比较

目的比较采取侧卧位和俯卧位两种不同体位进行胸腔镜食管切除术的安全性和有效性。方法回顾性分析2008年1月至2009年12月间复旦大学附属中山医院胸外科收治的88例胸腔镜食管切除术患者的临床资料,其中侧卧位下胸腔镜食管切除术52例（侧卧位组）,俯卧位下食管切除术36例（俯卧位组）。结果两组均无中转开胸病例。与侧卧位组相比...     

Robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy with the patient in the prone position

We describe a new technique of esophagectomy by robot-assisted thoracoscopy with the patient in the prone position, followed by laparoscopy and left cervicotomy with the patient in the supine position. We report two procedures performed November 2002 and September 2003. The technique should allow more thorough lymph node removal while reducing postoperative pain and morbidity. The thoracoscopy is robot-assisted and the articulations within the pleural cavity improve the surgeon's dexterity and reduce trocar movements. The prone position allows mobilization of the esophagus with only three trocars because the lung, which is partially deflated, does not block access. With the patient in the prone position, bleeding does not obscure the operative field. Stomach mobilization, gastric tube creation, and celiac lymphadenectomy are performed by laparoscopy. The esogastric anastomosis is a totally mechanical side-to-side anastomosis realized by left cervicotomy.     

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.     

俯卧位与侧卧位胸腔镜食管癌根治术的对照研究

目的对比俯卧位与侧卧位微创食管切除术(minimally invasive esophagectomy,MIE)的近期疗效,探讨俯卧位MIE的可行性、安全性。 方法回顾性分析2019年1月至2021年6月期间204例接受MIE治疗的食管癌患者资料,按手术体位分组并比较。 结果107例俯卧位MIE(A组)与97例侧卧位MIE(B组)相比,总手术时间与胸部操作时间更短[总手术时间210 min(190,240 min)比295 min(260,325 min)、胸部操作时间(91.7±22.0)min比(119.4±24.8)min(P<0.05)],术中出血量更少[(82.1±46.3)ml比(170.9±98.1)ml(P<0.05)],术后住院时间[(12.8±4.4)d比(16.0±9.6)d]、术后经口进食时间[(8.7±2.1)d比(13.8±9.2)d]、术后拔除胸腔引流管时间[(8.7±3.3)d比(12.5±8.7)d]均更短(P<0.05);并发症发生率更低[15.0%(16/107)比34.0%(33/97)(P<0.05)],淋巴结清扫数[(23.2±7.2)枚比(22.6±5.1)枚]和术后氧饱和度(97.9%±1.6%比97.4%±3.3%)差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结论相较侧卧位,俯卧位MIE手术视野显露更好、手术时间更短、术中出血量更少、术后并发症发生率更低、住院时间更短,安全、可靠,短期疗效满意。     

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.     

电视胸腔镜食管癌切除术模块化流程的临床应用

目的 评价模块化胸腔镜食管癌切除在微创食管癌切除术中的应用价值.方法 回顾性分析2011年12月至2012年12月第三军医大学大坪医院收治的45例胸段食管癌患者的临床资料,采用模块化手术流程行胸腔镜食管癌切除+胃食管颈部吻合术.患者按食管癌术前准备,行电视胸腔镜联合腹腔镜食管癌切除术或电视胸腔镜食管癌切除+开腹游离胃手术.胸腔镜食管游离及纵隔淋巴结清扫按照模块化流程(针对患者情况进行灵活排列组合)进行:(1)下肺韧带游离及下段食管旁、下肺韧带(第8L、9组)淋巴结清扫.(2)奇静脉弓下食管的游离.(3)游离奇静脉弓上食管.(4)奇静脉弓的离断.(5)胸段食管的完全游离.(6)结扎胸导管.(7)清扫下气管旁、主肺动脉窗、隆凸下、双侧肺门以及左侧喉返神经旁(第4、5、7、10、2L组)淋巴结.采用电话或信件联系方式对患者术后进行随访.术后1年内每3个月门诊复查胸腹部CT及纤维胃镜了解有无肿瘤复发及转移,超过1年后每半年检查1次.随访时间截至2013年2月.结果 45患者中,行电视胸腔镜联合腹腔镜食管癌切除术29例,电视胸腔镜食管癌切除+开腹游离胃手术16例.肿瘤长度为(4.2 ±2.5)cm,AJCC分期T1、T2、T3、T4期患者分别为7、14、15、9例,NO、N1、N2、N3期患者分别为23、13、7、2例.45例患者胸腔内操作时间为(72±13) min,总手术时间为(249 ± 39) min,术中出血量为(183±62) ml,术中清扫淋巴结数目为(27±7)枚,术后住院时间为(18 ±7)d.2例患者中转开胸手术.45例患者均无术后死亡发生,术后发生并发症11例次(2例患者出现两种并发症),6例发生颈部吻合口瘘,4例出现吻合口狭窄,3例出现声音嘶哑.45例患者均获得随访,随访时间为1.5 ～14.0个月,平均随访时间为8个月.1例患者于术后12个月因上消化道大出血死亡,1例患者于术后8个月因肝转移引发MODS死亡,其余43例均生存.结论 电视胸腔镜食管癌切除术中采用模块化手术流程安全、可行,具有良好的近期效果.     

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy while in a prone position for esophageal cancer: a preceding anterior approach method

Background

In 2009, the rate of thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer was about 20 % in Japan. This low rate may be due to the difficulty in maintaining a good surgical field and the meticulous procedures that are required. The purpose of this study was to establish and evaluate a new procedure for performing a thoracoscopic esophagectomy while the patient is in a prone position using a preceding anterior approach to make the esophagectomy easier to perform.

Methods

We have performed thoracoscopic esophagectomy using our new procedure in 60 patients with esophageal cancer. Each patient was placed in a prone position and five trocars were inserted; only the left lung was ventilated and a pneumothorax was maintained. The esophagus was mobilized from the anterior structure during the first step and from the posterior structure during the second step. The lymph nodes around the esophagus were also dissected anteriorly and posteriorly. The patients were sequentially divided into two groups and their clinical outcomes were evaluated.

Results

The mean operative time for the thoracoscopic procedure for the latter 30 cases (203 min) was shorter than that for the former 30 cases (260 min) (P = 0.001). Among the 52 cases without pleural adhesion, the mean blood loss in the latter 26 cases (18 mL) was also less than that in the former 26 cases (40 mL) (P = 0.027). There were no conversions to a thoracotomy and no operative deaths in this series. Postoperative complications related to the thoracoscopic procedure occurred in 8 cases (27 %) in the former group and in 4 cases (13 %) in the latter group.

Conclusions

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy with the patient in the prone position using a preceding anterior approach is a safe and feasible procedure. As experience performing the procedure increases, the performance of the procedure stabilizes. This method seems to make the esophagectomy easier to perform.     

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position

Background

Minimally invasive esophageal surgery has arisen in an attempt to reduce the significant complications associated with esophagectomy. Despite proposed technical and physiological advantages, the prone position technique has not been widely adopted. This article reviews the current status of prone thoracoscopic esophagectomy.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed to identify all published clinical studies related to prone esophagectomy. Medline, EMBASE and Google Scholar were searched using the keywords “prone,” “thoracoscopic,” and “esophagectomy” to identify articles published between January 1994 and September 2010. A critical review of these studies is given, and where appropriate the technique is compared to the more traditional minimally invasive technique utilising the left lateral decubitus position.

Results

Twelve articles reporting the outcomes following prone thoracoscopic oesophagectomy were tabulated. These studies were all non-randomised single-centre prospective or retrospective studies of which four compared the technique to traditional minimally invasive surgery. Although prone esophagectomy is demonstrated as being both feasible and safe, there is no convincing evidence that it is superior to other forms of esophageal surgery. Most authors comment that the prone position is associated with superior surgical ergonomics and theoretically offers a number of physiological benefits.

Conclusion

The ideal approach within minimally invasive esophageal surgery continues to be a subject of debate since no single method has produced outstanding results. Further clinical studies are required to see whether ergonomic advantages of the prone position can be translated into improved patient outcomes.     

胸腔镜与开放食管癌根治术中纵隔淋巴结清扫情况的比较

目的：比较胸腔镜食管癌根治术与开放手术的纵隔淋巴结清扫情况,探讨胸腔镜手术的根治性及安全性。方法回顾性分析2009年6月至2011年6月间四川省肿瘤医院胸外科经左颈右胸上腹食管癌根治术治疗304例患者的临床资料。其中199例行传统开放三切口食管癌根治术（开放组）,105例行胸腹腔镜三切口食管癌根治术（腔镜组）,比较两组患者术中淋巴结清扫情况及围手术期并发症发生情况。结果腔镜组清扫纵隔淋巴结数目为（10．1±5．5）枚,明显少于开放组的（13．3±7．5）枚（P＜0．01）;但匹配术后病理分期后,各期腔镜组和开放组的胸内淋巴结清扫数目差异并无统计学意义（均P＞0．05）。开放组和腔镜组左喉返神经旁淋巴结平均清扫数分别为（2．7±0．2）枚和（1．4±0．2）枚,下段食管旁分别为（1．0±0．1）枚和（0．6±0．1）枚,病灶旁分别为（1．7±0．2）枚和（0．7±0．1）枚,差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0．01）;其他区域两组淋巴结清扫数目差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0．05）。腔镜组围手术期并发症发生率为28．6％（30/105）,低于开放组的41．2％（82/199）（P＜0．05）,但喉返神经麻痹发生率[12．4％（13/105）]明显高于开放组[2．5％（5/199）,P＜0．01）。结论胸腔镜食管癌根治术安全可行。但在行胸腔镜纵隔淋巴结清扫时,应加强对喉返神经旁、下段食管旁和病灶旁淋巴结的清扫,并注意喉返神经的保护。     

食管癌外科治疗中联合腔镜的应用

目的 探讨食管癌根治性切除术中应用联合腔镜的可行性和近期疗效及手术适应证.方法 回顾性分析2009年12月至201 1年8月139例食管癌患者施行联合腔镜食管癌切除术的临床资料.食管癌位于上段者16例,中段107例,下段者16例.手术先用胸腔镜游离胸段食管并清扫淋巴结,再用腹腔镜游离胃行食管胃左颈部吻合.术后病理分期:Ⅰ期25例(Ⅰ a期13例、Ⅰb期12例),Ⅱ期71例,Ⅲ期31例(Ⅲa期16例、Ⅲb期15例),Ⅳ期12例.结果 除4例中转开胸手术,中转率2.9％外,其余全部顺利完成手术.术后出现吻合口瘘6例、心律失常4例和乳糜胸、胃排空障碍各1例,均保守治愈;吻合口狭窄2例扩张治疗后治愈;肺部感染11例,3例气管切开、呼吸机辅助呼吸,其中1例死亡(0.7％);10例声音嘶哑.130例随访1～20个月,10例死亡,其中癌转移6例、肺部感染和精神抑郁各1例、不明原因2例.24例患者1年生存率88.9％.结论 胸、腹腔镜联合行食管癌根治术在技术上足安全可行的,近期疗效满意.不仅适应于早、中期食管癌,而且适用于部分晚期病例.     

Current status and evaluation of thoracoscopic esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer

The current status and evaluation of esophagectomy by thoracoscopic approach for thoracic esophageal cancer are described. The esophagectomy by thoracoscopic approach for thoracic esophageal cancer have been reported in some Instituts since 1996 in Japan. In 10 years, series consisting a large number of esophageal cancer patients have been treated with esophagectomy by thoracoscopic approach and evaluated about operative safety, curabirity and postoperative morbidity. Now, the establishment of training system is the most important subject to achieve the standardization of thoracoscopic esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal caner.     

电视胸腔镜食管切除术在食管癌外科治疗中的应用

目的分析电视胸腔镜食管切除术对于食管癌患者的手术安全性和有效性。方法2004年6月至2007年10月。共有36例食管癌患者行胸腔镜食管切除术。食管上段癌5例，食管中段癌25例，食管下段癌6例。其中2例患者既往有胃大部切除手术史，1例患者行术前化疗。手术采用胸腔镜游离胸段食管并清扫纵隔淋巴结，开腹游离胃行食管胃颈部吻合。结果平均手术时间250（190-330）min。其中胸部手术时间平均为70（50-150）min，术中出血量165（100～350）ml，术后胸腔引流管放置时间平均2．9d，平均住院时间8．7d。平均清扫淋巴结14．3枚，其中胸部淋巴结8．2枚。无围手术期死亡，共有11例（30．6％）患者出现术后并发症。结论电视胸腔镜食管切除术治疗食管癌在技术上是安全可行的，有望减少手术创伤，降低肺部并发症的发生。     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the prone position

STUDY DESIGN: Review of 27 consecutive patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the prone position for anterior release and discectomy. OBJECTIVES: To convey the benefits and safety of this new technique for treating spinal deformities through VATS. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: All reports using VATS for spinal deformities describe the patient in the lateral position. This is the first study to demonstrate the benefits and safety of the prone position. METHODS: The patient is positioned prone, prepared, and draped allowing room for lateral portals on the convexity of the curve. Traditionally, a double-lumen endotracheal tube is used to deflate the ipsilateral lung. Prone positioning eliminates this need, because gravity aids in retraction of the lung. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully performed using the VATS technique with the patient prone. After the anterior release and discectomy, posterior instrumentation (n = 27), costoplasty (n = 16), and fusion (n = 27) were performed. The time (n = 20) and blood loss (n = 16) for the anterior approach averaged 129 +/- 35 minutes and 221 +/- 231 mL, respectively. The mean number of disks resected was 3.3 +/- 0.7 (range, 2-5). CONCLUSION: The prone position is both safe and effective for VATS when treating spinal deformity. The current results confirm that there is no need to insert a double-lumen tube, there is gravity-assisted correction of kyphosis when the patient is prone, and significant operative time is saved with the elimination of repositioning and redraping before the posterior procedure. Surgical times and blood loss compare very favorably with those reported for VATS in the lateral position.     

Lymphadenectomy along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve by a minimally invasive esophagectomy in the prone position for thoracic esophageal cancer

Background  

A thoracoabdominal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is a severely invasive procedure. A thoracoscopic esophagectomy may minimize injury to the chest wall and reduce surgical invasiveness. Conventional thoracoscopic procedures are performed in the left lateral-decubitus position. Recently, procedures performed in the prone position have received more attention because of improvements in operative exposure or surgeon ergonomics. However, the efficacy of the prone position in an aggressive thoracoscopic esophagectomy with an extensive lymphadenectomy has not been fully documented.