Use of efficient purse-string stapling technique for esophagogastric anastomosis in minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is increasingly accepted in the treatment of locoregional or advanced esophageal cancer. Laparoscopic-thoracoscopic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy has been proved to be effective in treating middle and distal esophageal cancer, however, intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis is technically complex. When using circular stapler for making intrathoracic anastomosis in MIE, both transoral and transthoracic methods are frequently used for delivering the anvil into the esophageal stump. Herein, we report a new method to construct a thoracoscopic esophagogastric anastomosis by using a circular stapler: efficient purse-string stapling technique (EST). This technique is easy to handle and especially good to be used in patients with distal esophageal cancer or expanded esophageal cavity.KEYWORDS : Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, esophageal cancer, esophagogastric anastomosis, efficient purse-string stapling technique (EST)     

Thoracoscopic purse string technique for minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy

Objective

Thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy with chest anastomosis (TLE-chest) is increasingly performed for middle and lower esophageal cancer; however, gastroesophageal anastomosis for this surgery remains both challenging and inefficient. To address this issue, we previously reported our MIE technique with Ivor-Lewis anastomosis. Here we present the video to introduce our TLE-chest operation procedures.

Methods

TLE-chest with a combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic technique was performed by one group of surgeons. From October 2011 to September 2013, 80 esophageal cancer patients were treated with TLE-chest using this improved anastomotic technique.

Results

The surgery was successful for all patients, although the anastomosis in one patient required intraoperative manual repair. No patients required open conversion. In this video, dissociation of stomach, and dissection of lymph nodes, creation of gastric tube and staple line embedding, jejunostomy were carried out by laparoscopic surgery. Dissection of esophageal cancer and mediastinal lymph nodes were done through rib 3 or 4 by a 3-4 cm video-assisted right anterior minithoracotomy, then esophago-gastric anastomosis was performed in right thoracic cavity This video shows the R0 resection of T3N0M0 esophageal cancer. Totally, 36 lymph nodes were dissected, including 21 mediastinal lymph nodes and 15 abdominal lymph nodes. The patient recovered well and was discharged on day 8 after the surgery, with good short term outcomes.

Conclusions

A safe, cost effective purse string stapled anastomotic technique has been presented for TLE-chest in our video. It is consistent with the oncology principles.     

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position for corrosive stricture after esophageal perforation due to balloon dilatation

An 18-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of chest pain after ingestion of a strong hydroxide in an attempted suicide. On post-ingestion day 25, an esophageal endoscopy and esophagram revealed at least three strictures, one each in the cervical, upper, and lower thoracic esophagus. In particular, the upper thoracic esophageal stricture was severe and was 5 cm long. Repeated balloon dilatation was employed, but resulted in perforation of the upper thoracic esophagus on the fourth attempt. On post-ingestion day 95, thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position was performed. The esophagus was reconstructed using a subtotal gastric tube and cervical esophagogastric anastomosis in the supine position. Although the periesophageal adhesions were severe, esophagectomy was successfully performed. Anastomotic leakage developed after surgery, but the patient was discharged on postoperative day 47 on a regular diet.     

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).     

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.     

The effect of azygos vein preservation on mediastinal lymph node harvesting in thoracic esophagolymphadenectomy

SUMMARY.  The standard surgical procedure for esophageal cancer is transthoracic esophagectomy with en bloc resection of the azygos vein, thoracic duct and mediastinal lymph nodes. To reduce morbidity of esophago-lymphadenectomy, minimally invasive techniques are increasingly being applied. In (robot-assisted) thoracoscopic esophagolymphadenectomy, the azygos vein is generally left in place, as the scopic ligation of the numerous intercostal veins is technically difficult and time-consuming. This could affect the extent of mediastinal lymph node dissection. Therefore, in this study, the effect of azygos vein preservation during thoracic esophagectomy on mediastinal lymph node harvesting was assessed. In 15 human cadavers, a right-sided thoracotomy was performed, followed by esophagectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection after ligation of the azygos arch (representing the situation in robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagolymphadenectomy). Subsequently, the remaining azygos vein with surrounding tissue was resected. The number of lymph nodes in both specimens was determined. A mean of 17.3 (95% Poisson CI 15.3–19.6) lymph nodes was dissected en bloc with the esophagus, and 0.67 (95% Poisson CI 0.32–1.23) around the separately resected azygos vein. The additional azygos vein resection did not add to the number of lymph nodes dissected in 60% (9/15) of cadavers. In conclusion, the extent of mediastinal lymph node dissection was not substantially affected by leaving the azygos vein in situ . Time-sparing azygos vein preservation in (robot-assisted) thoracoscopic esophagolymphadenectomy may therefore be considered justified.     

Thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy with cervical manual anastomosis for esophageal cancer

Evidence on the benefits of minimally invasive approach over traditional open procedure in gastrointestinal surgery is continuing to accumulate. This is also the case for esophageal surgery.Although laparoscopic esophageal surgery was initially reserved for benign pathology, the technical development, increasing experience with laparoscopic and thoracoscopic techniques and the theoretical advantages of minimally invasive surgery have widened the scope of minimally invasive approach to esophageal cancer. The surgical treatment of esophageal cancer often requires extensive procedures and is therefore, considered one of the most challenging and invasive procedure of gastrointestinal surgery. While transhiatal and transthoracic esophagectomy are common approaches for esophageal resection, data regarding the combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach to esophagectomy are limited. The minimally invasive technique of esophagectomy to be described consists of three phases: thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization and mediastinal lymphadenectomy followed by laparoscopic gastric mobilization, abdominal lymphadenectomy and gastric conduit formation and finally retrieval of the resection specimen followed by an esophagogastric anastomosis via a left cervical incision.     

Preventing and localizing esophagogastric anastomosis leakage by sleeve-wrapping of the pedicled omentum

AIM:To develop a technique of sleeve-wrapping thepedicled omentum around the esophagogastric anastomosis for preventing and localizing leakage.METHODS:This study includes data from 86 patientswho were diagnosed with esophageal cancer and underwent the technique of sleeve-wrapping the pedicledomentum around esophagogastric anastomosis afteresophagectomy between November 2011 and July 2013.The early complications that occurred during follow-upwere analyzed.RESULTS:Postoperative complications included pulmonary complications(13/86;15.1%)and abdominal orthoracic wound infection(3/86;3.5%).Complicationsthat occurred during follow-up included one case ofanastomosis leakage(limited by omentum;1.2%)andfive case of anastomosis stricture(5.8%).No deathsoccurred.All complications were resolved through traditional treatment.No additional surgery was needed.CONCLUSION:Sleeve-wrapping of the pedicled omentum around esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy is safe and effective for preventing and localizing anastomosis leakage without increasing anastomosis stricture.     

Video-assisted thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy: the experience of Shanghai Chest Hospital

The traditional open esophagectomy is associated with higher morbidity, while minimally invasive procedures could be accompanied with a lower one. In this case, the patient is placed in the prone-decubitus position and the surgeon stands in front of the patient. The “four ports” approach is adopted in the thoracoscopic procedure with CO₂ insufflation, and the esophagus and lymph nodes are dissected. In the laparoscopic procedure, “hand assistant technique” is employed. The esophagogastric anastomosis is similar with McKeown procedure.KEYWORDS : Esophageal cancer, esophagectomy, thoracoscopy, laparoscopy     

Perioperative outcomes of esophagectomy preceded by the laparoscopic transhiatal approach for esophageal cancer

This study was designed to determine the efficacy of esophagectomy preceded by the laparoscopic transhiatal approach (LTHA) with regard to the perioperative outcomes of esophageal cancer. The esophageal hiatus was opened by hand‐assisted laparoscopic surgery, and carbon dioxide was introduced into the mediastinum. Dissection of the distal esophagus was performed up to the level of the tracheal bifurcation. En bloc dissection of the posterior mediastinal lymph nodes was performed using LTHA. Next, cervical lymphadenectomy, reconstruction via a retrosternal route with a gastric tube and anastomosis from a cervical approach were performed. Finally, a small thoracotomy (around 10 cm in size) was made to extract the thoracic esophagus and allow upper mediastinal lymphadenectomy to be performed. The treatment outcomes of 27 esophageal cancer patients who underwent LTHA‐preceding esophagectomy were compared with those of 33 patients who underwent the transthoracic approach preceding esophagectomy without LTHA (thoracotomy; around 20 cm in size). The intrathoracic operative time and operative bleeding were significantly decreased by LTHA. The total operative time did not differ between the two groups, suggesting that the abdominal procedure was longer in the LTHA group. The number of resected lymph nodes did not differ between the two groups. Postoperative respiratory complications occurred in 18.5% of patients treated with LTHA and 30.3% of those treated without it. The increase in the number of peripheral white blood cells and the duration of thoracic drainage were significantly decreased by this method. Our surgical procedure provides a good surgical view of the posterior mediastinum, markedly shortens the intrathoracic operative time, and decreases the operative bleeding without increasing major postoperative complications.     

Esophagogastric anastomosis with invagination into stomach: New technique to reduce fistula formation

AIM: To present a new technique of cervical esophagogastric anastomosis to reduce the frequency of fistula formation. METHODS: A group of 31 patients with thoracic and abdominal esophageal cancer underwent cervical esophagogastric anastomosis with invagination of the proximal esophageal stump into the stomach tube. In the region elected for anastomosis, a transverse myotomy of the esophagus was carried out around the entire circumference of the esophagus. Afterwards, a 4-cm long segment of esophagus was invaginated into the stomach and anastomosed to the anterior and the posterior walls. RESULTS: Postoperative minor complications occurred in 22 (70.9%) patients. Four (12.9%) patients had serious complications that led to death. The discharge of saliva was at a lower region, while attempting to leave the anastomosis site out of the alimentary transit. Three (9.7%) patients had fistula at the esophagogastric anastomosis, with minimal leakage of air or saliva and with mild clinical repercussions. No patients had esophago- gastric fistula with intense saliva leakage from either the cervical incision or the thoracic drain. Fibrotic stenosis of anastomoses occurred in seven (22.6%) patients. All these patients obtained relief from their dysphagia with endoscopic dilatation of the anastomosis.CONCLUSION: Cervical esophagogastric anastomosis with invagination of the proximal esophageal stump into the stomach tube presented a low rate of esophagogastric fistula with mild clinical repercussions.     

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.     

Comprehensive investigations of quality of life after esophagectomy with special reference to the route of reconstruction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Esophagectomy is a very invasive operation, therefore, it is important to improve the postoperative quality of life (QOL) of the patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the QOL of patients who had undergone esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer. METHODOLOGY: We investigated 37 patients who had undergone esophagectomy. The anastomosis was made at the cervical location by the retrosternal route in 12 patients (RS group), at the high thoracic location by the posterior mediastinal route in 18 patients (HT group), and at the cervical location by the posterior mediastinal route in seven patients (PM group). QOL was evaluated by patient questionnaires concerning reflux esophagitis using QUEST and dumping syndrome, body weight, ambulatory pH monitoring, and immunostaining for iNOS and COX-2 as markers of inflammation. RESULTS: The QUEST score revealed that the findings suggesting reflux were few in the HT group. Patients suffered from dumping syndrome were significantly few in the HT group (p = 0.0399). The percentage time of pH < or =4.0 was shortest in the HT group at the position of the esophagogastric anastomosis (p < 0.0281). Body weight recovery was best in HT group (p < 0.0001). There was a tendency that iNOS and COX-2 immunoreactivity were weaker in HT group than other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that QOL after esophageal reconstruction using a gastric tube is good in patients with the anastomosis at the high thoracic location by the posterior mediastinal route.     

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.     

Short-term postoperative superiority and 5-year follow-up outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for treatment of esophageal carcinoma: a historical comparison with conventional open esophagectomy under a single experienced surgeon

Background

Few reports have provided a direct comparison of thoracoscopic and open esophagectomy for treatment of esophageal carcinoma in a sufficiently large number of patients with an adequate follow-up period.

Methods

We compared the short- and long-term (up to 5 years after surgery) outcomes of 121 patients who had undergone video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy with 3-field lymphadenectomy (the VATE group) and 74 patients who had undergone conventional open esophagectomy with 3-field lymphadenectomy (the OE group) for treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Results

Total and intrathoracic operation times were longer and total and intrathoracic blood losses were lower in the VATE group than in the OE group. The number of dissected lymph nodes around the left recurrent laryngeal nerve was significantly higher, while both the intensive care unit stay and postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter in the VATE group. Moreover, the frequency of postoperative analgesia use was lower in the VATE group. Overall morbidity and mortality rates were similar, and the incidences of overall, surgical-site, and thoracic wound infections were significantly lower in the VATE group. Additionally, the incidence of postoperative pneumonia was also lower in the VATE group, although the difference was not statistically significant. No differences were observed in recurrence or survival rates.

Conclusion

Video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy with 3-field lymphadenectomy is a safe and effective surgical method that can be used as an alternative to conventional open esophagectomy in patients with curable esophageal carcinoma.     

Three cases of esophageal cancer with aberrant right subclavian artery treated by thoracoscopic esophagectomy

An aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is an anatomical abnormality that occurs at a frequency of 0.4–2 %. It is important to be aware of this abnormality when performing radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer because many patients with an ARSA have a right nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve (NRILN) and right thoracic duct. We report three cases of esophageal cancer with ARSA treated by thoracoscopic esophagectomy. Case 1 was a 59-year-old woman with a relapse of a thoracic esophageal cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Case 2 was a 76-year-old man with upper thoracic esophageal cancer who had received no treatment before the surgery. Case 3 was a 69-year-old man with upper thoracic esophageal cancer pretreated with neoadjuvant CRT. It was possible to predict an ARSA by computed tomography and the right thoracic ducts by magnetic resonance imaging before surgery in all three cases. Thoracoscopic esophagectomy with two-field lymph node dissection was performed, and the NRILN and the right thoracic duct were detected and preserved in all three cases. Because of ARSA, the operative field is limited around the left recurrent nerve, so a careful procedure is needed to avoid nerve palsy.     

Synchronous double primary cancer of the esophagus and ampulla of Vater successfully treated by a two-stage operation: report of a case

A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with local recurrent cancer of the ampulla of Vater by follow-up endoscopy 3 years after an endoscopic papillectomy. A screening endoscopy found superficial middle thoracic esophageal cancer. The patient required an esophagectomy and pancreatoduodenectomy. We chose a two-stage operation for the esophageal cancer and the local recurrent cancer of the ampulla of Vater, both to reduce surgical invasiveness and to circumvent the lower curability. The first-stage operation consisted of a right transthoracic subtotal esophagectomy with mediastinal and cervical lymph node dissection, external esophagostomy of the neck, and gastrostomy. Forty days after the first surgery, a gastroduodenal artery- and right gastroepiploic vessel-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy with Child’s reconstruction was performed as the second-stage surgery. Esophageal reconstruction was achieved using a gastric tube via the percutaneous route with vascular anastomosis.     

Endoscopic removal of a large hyperplastic (inflammatory) polyp in esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy

Hyperplastic (inflammatory) polyp (HP) is uncommon in the esophagus and esophagogastric junction. We report a case of HP arising in the esophagogastric anastomosis 2 years after esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a 64-year-old woman. The lesion was resected endoscopically. The histopathological diagnosis was HP. There has been no evidence of carcinoma or HP for more than 6 years after initial surgery. This is the first reported case of HP arising in an esophagogastric anastomosis after esophageal surgery that was successfully treated by endoscopic resection.     

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.     

Long-term survival after multidisciplinary therapy for brain metastases from asymptomatic esophageal adenocarcinoma

Asymptomatic T1 (invaded submucosa) esophageal carcinoma rarely metastasizes to the brain. A 53-year-old Japanese man complaining of right hemiparesis and convulsion was admitted to our hospital. Brain imaging demonstrated a ring-like, enhanced brain tumor in the left parietal lobe. The pathological findings of the resected tumor were consistent with a metastatic adenocarcinoma from the gastrointestinal tract. Additional examinations revealed an elevated-type tumor in the lower third of the thoracic esophagus. The patient underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy with lymph node dissection followed by reconstruction with gastric tube substitution. The immunohistochemical findings of the resected specimen were similar to those of the metastatic brain tumor. Although the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, docetaxel plus cisplatin), a solitary small brain metastasis was detected 4 months after esophagectomy. Excision of the sequential metastases with whole-brain radiation therapy and gamma-knife therapy were performed. The patient survived for 50 months after beginning the initial treatment. This report describes a rare case of brain metastases from T1 esophageal adenocarcinoma in a patient without gastrointestinal symptoms.