Combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic minimally invasive esophagectomy

With the improvement in thoracoscopic and laparoscopic surgery, thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy (TLE), a minimally invasive approach, has attracted increasing attention as an alternative to open three-field esophagectomy. From June 2012 to October 2013, 90 patients underwent laparoscopic and thoracoscopic resection of esophageal carcinoma in our department. The VATS esophagectomy technique described here is the approach currently employed in the department of thoracic surgery at Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital of China.     

Thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical esophagectomy with lateral-prone position

With 20 years of development, minimally-invasive treatment for esophageal cancer has been widely spread. However, surgeons have not reached consensus about the optimal minimally-invasive operation method, or whether the effect of radical lymph nodes dissection is comparable to the traditional open procedure. Thoracoscopic esophagectomy with lateral-prone position combines the advantages of both lateral position (allowing quick conversion to open procedure) and prone position (good visual area and complete lymphadenectomy). Together with laparoscopic abdominal lymphadenectomy, gastric tube formation and jejunostomy, this approach provides an easier way for minimally-invasive radical esophagectomy. In this article, approaches for thoracoscopic esophagectomy with lateral-prone position and total mediastinal lymphadenectomy, combined with totally laparoscopic gastric mobilization, abdominal lymphadenectomy, gastric tube formation and jejunostomy, will be presented by video instructions. All the procedures were under the rule of radical lymphadenectomy. Cervical lymph nodes dissection and esophago-gastrostomy were the same as those in open procedure, which will not be discussed here.     

Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis for middle or lower esophageal carcinoma

Thoracoscopic mobilization of esophagus and laparoscopic mobilization of stomach with cervical anastomosis is employed widely in minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for esophageal carcinoma. However, it is associated with high incidence of complications, including recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and anastomotic leak. This paper summarizes the key techniques in total laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis for MIE in 62 patients of middle or lower esophageal cancer between March 2012 and August 2013. Total laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis was performed to treat the middle or lower esophageal cancer. Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy was performed using a circular stapler (Johnson and Johnson) intrathoracically to staple esophagogastric anastomosis and reconstruct the digestive tract. In addition, we performed tension-relieving anastomotic suture and embedded with pedicled omental flap. Compared with the trans-orally inserted anvil (OrVil) approach, the technique reported here is safe, feasible and user-friendly. Total thoracoscopic intrathoracic anastomosis can be performed with a circular stapler (Johnson and Johnson).     

Hand‐assisted laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy with a systematic procedure for en bloc infracarinal lymph node dissection

Laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy is a minimally invasive approach for esophageal cancer. However, a transhiatal procedure has not yet been established for en bloc mediastinal dissection. The purpose of this study was to present our novel procedure, hand‐assisted laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy, with a systematic procedure for en bloc mediastinal dissection. The perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent this procedure were retrospectively analyzed. Transhiatal subtotal mobilization of the thoracic esophagus with en bloc lymph node dissection distally from the carina was performed according to a standardized procedure using a hand‐assisted laparoscopic technique, in which the operator used a long sealing device under appropriate expansion of the operative field by hand assistance and long retractors. The thoracoscopic procedure was performed for upper mediastinal dissection following esophageal resection and retrosternal stomach roll reconstruction, and was avoided based on the nodal status and operative risk. A total of 57 patients underwent surgery between January 2012 and June 2013, and the transthoracic procedure was performed on 34 of these patients. In groups with and without the transthoracic procedure, total operation times were 370 and 216 minutes, blood losses were 238 and 139 mL, and the numbers of retrieved nodes were 39 and 24, respectively. R0 resection rates were similar between the groups. The incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was significantly higher in the group with the transthoracic procedure, whereas no significant differences were observed in that of pneumonia between these groups. The hand‐assisted laparoscopic transhiatal method, which is characterized by a systematic procedure for en bloc mediastinal dissection supported by hand and long device use, was safe and feasible for minimally invasive esophagectomy.     

A preliminary experience with minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy

With several small series examining minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomies, we look to contribute to a growing experience. In reporting our initial results, safety, initial oncologic completeness, and preliminary outcomes with a minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy were demonstrated. From 2007 to 2010, 40 minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomies were carried out. The approach was a laparoscopic mobilization of the stomach and a thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization and creation of a high intrathoracic anastomosis. Indications included esophageal cancer in 39 patients and esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumor in one patient. Median age was 62 (range 39-77) with 31 (78%) male patients. Non-emergent conversion was required in two (5%) patients. Twenty-five (63%) patients underwent neoadjuvant therapy. Mean operative time was 364 minutes (range 285-455), and mean blood loss was 205 cc (range 100-400). All patients underwent an R0 resection including the removal of all Barrett's esophagus, and mean number of nodes harvested was 21 (range 11-41). Median intensive care unit stay was 1 day (range 1-3), and hospital stay was 7 days (range 6-19). There were no anastomotic leaks and no 30-day mortality. Postoperative complications included eight (21%) patients with atrial fibrillation and two (5%) chylothorax, one requiring ligation. At a mean follow-up of 16.5 months (range 1-39 months), five (13%) patients have had a distant recurrence; there have been no local recurrences. Minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, although technically challenging, can be carried out with reasonable operative times, a short length of stay, and minimal complication. Final oncologic validity is pending longer follow-up and a larger series.     

Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy is equivalent to thoracoscopic minimally invasive esophagectomy

The use of the surgical robot has been increasing in thoracic surgery. Its three-dimensional view and instruments with surgical wrists may provide advantages over traditional thoracoscopic techniques. Our initial experience with thoracoscopic robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) for esophageal cancer was compared with our traditional thoracoscopic minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) approach for esophageal cancer. A retrospective review of a prospective database was performed. From July 2008 to October 2009, 43 patients underwent MIE resection. Patients who had benign disease and intrathoracic anastomosis were excluded. Results are presented as mean ± SD. Significance was set as P < 0.05. Eleven patients who underwent RAMIE and 26 who underwent MIE were included in the cohort. No differences in age, sex, race, body mass index, or preoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy between the groups were observed. No significant differences in operative time, blood loss, number of resected lymph nodes, postoperative complications, days of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit stay, or length of hospital stay were also observed. In this short-term study, RAMIE was found to be equivalent to thoracoscopic MIE and did not offer clear advantages.     

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.     

Survival outcomes of 220 consecutive patients with three‐staged thoracoscopic esophagectomy

Patients with thoracic esophageal cancer are often treated by minimally invasive esophagectomy. However, the long‐term survival benefits of minimally invasive esophagectomy remain unclear. Two approaches are available for thoracoscopic surgery: one with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position (LLDP), and the other with the patient in the prone position (PP). We investigated the survival benefit of thoracoscopic esophagectomy according to the tumor stage and patient position during the thoracoscopic procedure. We reviewed the records of 220 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer treated from 1998 to 2012. In total, 146 and 74 patients were treated with thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the LLDP and PP, respectively. No patients were initially proposed to be candidates for esophagectomy by thoracotomy during the study period. Data collection was performed with a focus on survival and recurrent disease. Among all the 220 patients, the overall 5‐year survival rates were 83.7%, 74.1%, 45.5%, 78.6%, 44.2%, 29.4% and 24.3% in the patients with pStage IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB and IIIC disease, respectively. Despite the greater number of dissected mediastinal lymph nodes in the PP procedure, there were no significant differences in the survival curves between the LLDP and PP procedures. The long‐term results of thoracoscopic esophagectomy are comparable and acceptable. The PP procedure was not confirmed to offer a superior survival benefit to the LLDP procedure in this retrospective study.     

Metachronous cancer of gastroplasty after esophagectomy

We reviewed two cases of adenocarcinoma of the gastric tube used for reconstruction after esophagectomy for cancer. The first case gastric cancer was detected during follow-up by endoscopic examination. Total resection of the gastric tube and reconstruction by Roux-en-Y was performed each time. The patient was alive and disease-free 1 year after surgery. In the second case the tumor was revealed via thoracic pain. Chemotherapy, using carboplatin-5-fluorouracil, was performed because of lung metastasis but the patient died 1 year later. The incidence of gastric tube cancer after esophagectomy has recently increased in conjunction with the lengthening of survival of esophageal cancer patients. The clinical symptoms related to tumors are associated with short-term survival, whereas the cancers detected by routine endoscopy screening have occasional long-term survival. Gastrectomy is proposed for surgical treatment but the operating procedure is complex with a high morbidity rate. Lesions detected at an early stage could be treated by minimally invasive surgery such as endoscopic mucosal resection.     

Laparoscopic inversion esophagectomy: simplifying a daunting operation

Minimally invasive esophageal resection is a technically demanding procedure that may reduce patient morbidity and improve convalescence when compared with the open approach. Despite these proposed advantages, the minimally invasive approach has not been widely embraced and is routinely performed in only a few specialized centers around the world. The laparoscopic inversion esophagectomy attempts to eliminate some of the technical obstacles inherent in this procedure by simplifying the transhiatal mediastinal dissection, facilitating vagal preservation, and enhancing safety. We present a case of a 37-year-old man who underwent laparoscopic inversion esophagectomy for Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia. Immediate and long-term outcome measures are being prospectively gathered in order to establish the ultimate value of this procedure.     

Optimal surgical approach for esophageal cancer in the era of minimally invasive esophagectomy and neoadjuvant therapy

The optimal surgical technique for the potentially curative treatment of patients with esophageal cancer is still under debate. The transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) with limited lymphadenectomy mainly focuses on a decrease of postoperative morbidity and mortality by preventing a formal thoracotomy. The transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) with extended two‐field lymphadenectomy attempts to improve the radicality of the resection and thus to increase locoregional tumor control, but is associated with increased postoperative morbidity. The recent introduction of different minimally invasive techniques probably decreases postoperative morbidity following TTE, with reduction of especially pulmonary complications, but high‐quality evidence is still limited. It is widely agreed that extended lymphadenectomy as performed during TTE provides the benefit of more accurate staging, but its effect on improvement of survival is still debated. The literature on this topic is contradictory and the choice of surgical approach is primarily driven by personal opinions and institutional preferences. Moreover, the available evidence is mainly based on patients who underwent surgery alone without neoadjuvant therapy. Results of recent studies suggest that neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy abolishes any possibly positive effect of extended lymphadenectomy as performed during TTE on survival, but this effect should be confirmed in future research. This review gives an overview and reflects the authors' personal view on the role of TTE and THE in the treatment of potentially curative treatment of patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer in the era of minimally invasive esophagectomy and neoadjuvant treatment and outlines future research perspectives.     

Laparoscopic and robot-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer: Current considerations

R a d i c a l g a s t r e c t o m y w i t h a n a d e q u a t e l y m p h-adenectomy is the main procedure which makes it possible to cure patients with resectable gastric cancer(GC). A number of randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis provide phase Ⅲ evidence that laparoscopic gastrectomy is technically safe and that it yields better short-term outcomes than conventional open gastrectomy for early-stage GC. While laparoscopic gastrectomy has become standard therapy for early-stage GC, especially in Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, the use of minimally invasive techniques is still controversial for the treatment of more advanced tumours, principally due to existing concerns about its oncological adequacy and capacity to carry out an adequately extended lymphadenectomy. Some intrinsic drawbacks of the conventional laparoscopic technique have prevented the worldwide spread of laparoscopic gastrectomyfor cancer and, despite technological advances in recent year, it remains a technically challenging procedure. The introduction of robotic surgery over the last ten years has implied a notable mutation of certain minimally invasive procedures, making it possible to overcome some limitations of the traditional laparoscopic technique. Robot-assisted gastric resection with D2 lymph node dissection has been shown to be safe and feasible in prospective and retrospective studies. However, to date there are no high quality comparative studies investigating the advantages of a robotic approach to GC over traditional laparoscopic and open gastrectomy. On the basis of the literature review here presented, robot-assisted surgery seems to fulfill oncologic criteria for D2 dissection and has a comparable oncologic outcome to traditional laparoscopic and open procedure. Robot-assisted gastrectomy was associated with the trend toward a shorter hospital stay with a comparable morbidity of conventional laparoscopic and open gastrectomy, but randomized clinical trials and longer follow-ups are needed to evaluate the possible influence of robot gastrectomy on GC patient survival.     

Laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery as a minimally invasive treatment for gastric submucosal tumor

Laparoscopic wedge resection is a useful procedure for treating patients with submucosal tumor (SMT) including gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach. However, resection of intragastric-type SMTs can be problematic due to the difficulty in accurately judging the location of endoluminal tumor growth, and often excessive amounts of healthy mucosa are removed; thus, full-thickness local excision using laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) is a promising procedure for these cases. Our experience with LECS has confirmed this procedure to be a safe, feasible, and minimally invasive treatment method for gastric GISTs less than 5 cm in diameter, with outcomes similar to conventional laparoscopic wedge resection. The important advantage of LECS is the reduction in the resected area of the gastric wall compared to that in conventional laparoscopic wedge resection using a linear stapler. Early gastric cancer fits the criteria for endoscopic resection; however, if performing endoscopic submucosal dissection is difficult, the LECS procedure might be a good alternative. In the future, LECS is also likely to be indicated for duodenal tumors, as well as gastric tumors. Furthermore, developments in endoscopic and laparoscopic technology have generated various modified LECS techniques, leading to even less invasive surgery.     

Minimally invasive esophageal resection and intrathoracic anastomosis for lower thoracic esophageal cancer with single position

There are various esophagectomy approaches for lower thoracic esophageal cancer, and the minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) approach shows the advantages of less discomfort, shorter length of stay and a faster recovery to baseline status than open approaches. The current study reports a case of lower thoracic esophageal cancer was treated using a single-position, minimally invasive surgical technique with laparoscopy and thoracoscopy. A 68-year-old man, whose gastroscopy identified the esophageal carcinoma, came to our medical center due to dysphagia for over 1 year. The patient underwent tumor radical resection and intrathoracic anastomosis by laparoscopy and thoracoscopy with single position. The patient has recovered well after the surgery.     

Laparoscopy in the management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

The use of minimally invasive surgery has become widely accepted in many gastrointestinal fields, even in patients with malignancy. However, performing laparoscopic resection for the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma is still not universally accepted as an alternative approach to open surgery, and only a limited number of such procedures have been reported due to the difficulty of performing oncologic resection and the lack of consensus regarding the adequacy of this approach. Laparoscopy was initially limited to staging, biopsy and palliation. Recent technological developments and improvements in endoscopic procedures have greatly expanded the applications of laparoscopic liver resection and lymphadenectomy, and some reports have described the use of laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma as being feasible and safe in highly selected cases, with the ability to obtain an adequate surgical margin. However, the benefits of major laparoscopic surgery have yet to be conclusively proven, and carefully selecting patients is essential for successfully performing this procedure.     

International survey on esophageal cancer: part I surgical techniques

In patients with esophageal cancer, radical surgical resection of the esophagus and surrounding lymph nodes is the only curative treatment option. Nevertheless, no standard surgical procedure exists. The aims of the present study were to gain insight into the frequencies of the various surgical techniques in esophageal cancer surgery as applied by surgeons throughout the world and to identify intercontinental differences regarding surgical techniques. Surgeons with particular interest in esophageal surgery, including members of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus, the European Society of Esophagology Group d'Etude Européen des Maladies de l'Oesophage and the OESO, were invited to participate in an online questionnaire. Questions were asked regarding approach to esophagectomy, extent of lymphadenectomy (LND), type of reconstruction, and anastomotic techniques. Subanalyses were performed for the surgeons' case volume per year, years of experience in esophageal cancer surgery, and continent. Of 567 invited surgeons, 269 participated, resulting in an overall response rate of 47%. The responders currently performing esophagectomies (n= 250; 44%), represented 41 countries across the six continents. Fifty‐two percent of responders favor open transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) over transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) or minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). THE is preferred by 26%, whereas MIE is favored by 14%. Eight percent have no preference for one approach to esophagectomy over the other. The extent of LND is most frequently the 2‐field, routinely performed by 73% of surgeons. The continuity of the digestive tract is most frequently restored with a gastric conduit (85%). In open TTE, the anastomosis is routinely created in the neck by 56% of responders and in the chest by 40%. Cervical anastomoses are routinely fashioned by means of a handsewn technique by 65% of responders, while 35% favor the stapled technique. The cervical incision is predominantly performed vertically on the left side of the neck (routinely by 66%). A horizontal neck incision is routinely carried out by 19% of responders and a vertical right‐sided incision by 11%. Significant differences in surgical techniques could be detected between low‐ and high‐volume surgeons, between surgeons with ≤10 versus ≥21 years of experience, and between surgeons from different continents. In conclusion, currently the most commonly applied surgical procedure is the open right‐sided transthoracic approach with a two‐field lymphadenectomy, using a gastric tube anastomosed at the left side of the neck by means of a handsewn, end‐to‐side technique. The results of this survey provide baseline data for future research and for the development of international guidelines.     

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.     

Sentinel lymph node navigation surgery for gastric cancer: Does it really benefit the patient?

Sentinel lymph node(SLN) navigation surgery is accepted as a standard treatment procedure for malignant melanoma and breast cancer. However, the benefit of reduced lymphadenectomy based on SLN examination remains unclear in cases of gastric cancer. Here, we review previous studies to determine whether SLN navigation surgery is beneficial for gastric cancer patients. Recently, a large-scale prospective study from the Japanese Society of Sentinel Node Navigation Surgery reported that the endoscopic dual tracer method, using a dye and radioisotope for SLN biopsy, was safe and effective when applied to cases of superficial and relatively small gastric cancers. SLN mapping with SLN basin dissection was preferred for early gastric cancer since it is minimally invasive. However, previous studies reported that limited gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy may not improve the patient's postoperative quality of life(QOL). As a result, the benefit of SLN navigation surgery for gastric cancer patients, in terms of their QOL, is limited. Thus, endoscopic and laparoscopic limited gastrectomy combined with SLN navigation surgery has the potential to become the standard minimally invasive surgery in early gastric cancer.     

Endoscopic submucosal dissection and surgical treatment for gastrointestinal cancer

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely usedin Japan as a minimally invasive treatment for earlygastric cancer. The application of ESD has expanded tothe esophagus and colorectum. The indication criteriafor endoscopic resection (ER) are established for eachorgan in Japan. Additional treatment, including surgery with lymph node dissection, is recommended when pathological examinations of resected specimens donot meet the criteria. Repeat ER for locally recurrent gastrointestinal tumors may be difficult because of submucosal fibrosis, and surgical resection is required inthese cases. However, ESD enables complete resectionin 82%-100% of locally recurrent tumors. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a well-developed sur-gical procedure for the local excision of rectal tumors.ESD may be superior to TEM alone for superficial rectaltumors. Perforation is a major complication of ESD,and it is traditionally treated using salvage laparotomy.However, immediate endoscopic closure followed byadequate intensive treatment may avoid the need forsurgical treatment for perforations that occur during ESD. A second primary tumor in the remnant stomach after gastrectomy or a tumor in the reconstructedorgan after esophageal resection has traditionally required surgical treatment because of the technical difficulty of ER. However, ESD enables complete resectionin 74%-92% of these lesions. Trials of a combination ofESD and laparoscopic surgery for the resection of gastric submucosal tumors or the performance of sentinellymph node biopsy after ESD have been reported, butthe latter procedure requires a careful evaluation of itsclinical feasibility.     

Conservative reconstruction using stents as salvage therapy for disruption of esophago-gastric anastomosis

Esophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy and gastric conduit reconstruction is a radical procedure for the treatment of esophageal cancer that is associated with a high morbidity rate. Gastric conduit necrosis is a fatal complication that occurs in 2% of patients. Conventionally, two-stage salvage surgery consisting of removal of the necrotic gastric conduit followed by reconstruction has been performed; however, this procedure has a high morbidity rate. We describe a 61-year-old man who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy complicated by slowly progressive gastric conduit necrosis associated with complete neck drainage and a stable overall condition. There was a 2 cm gap in the anastomosis. Because there was no evidence of residual gastric conduit necrosis, a removable, covered self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) was inserted to bridge the anastomosis. The stent was fixed to the patient’s ear with silk thread through the lasso on its proximal end to prevent migration. Eight weeks after insertion, the stent was removed easily without any associated complications. The anastomotic defect was completely bridged with granulation tissue, showing progressive epithelialization without leakage or stenosis. The patient was discharged home in good general health. This is the first report of the successful conservative management of esophago-gastric conduit anastomosis disruption with SEMS placement.