Feasibility of conversion thoracoscopic esophagectomy after induction therapy for locally advanced unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Recently, patients with cT4b esophageal cancer often require conversion surgery following induction therapy, for which the standard procedure is open esophagectomy. However, thoracoscopic esophagectomy, including thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position, is increasingly used. We compared short-term outcomes of thoracoscopic esophagectomy and open esophagectomy in this setting.

METHODS:

We retrospectively analyzed 14 patients who underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy, and 10 who underwent open esophagectomy, for locally advanced unresectable esophageal cancer after induction therapy between March 2007 and July 2020.

RESULTS:

The two groups did not significantly differ in patient background. Median total and thoracic surgical times were both significantly longer for open esophagectomy than for thoracoscopic esophagectomy. Median blood loss was also greater in the open esophagectomy group than in the thoracoscopic esophagectomy group. The thoracoscopic esophagectomy group also had significantly shorter median chest drain duration; and lower C-reactive protein levels on the second and third postoperative days. The two groups did not significantly differ in total complications or postoperative hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS:

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy is as safe and feasible as open esophagectomy for conversion surgery after induction therapy for locally advanced unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

• Authors: Kentaro Kubo, Kyohei Kanematsu, Daisuke Kurita, Koshiro Ishiyama, Junya Oguma, Jun Itami, Hiroyuki Daiko
• Journal: Japanese journal of clinical oncology (Jpn J Clin Oncol) Vol. 51 Issue 8 Pg. 1225-1231 (Aug 01 2021) ISSN: 1465-3621 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34109411 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: [email protected].

Topics

• Esophageal Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, surgery)
• Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, surgery)
• Esophagectomy (methods)
• Feasibility Studies
• Humans
• Induction Chemotherapy
• Lymph Node Excision
• Postoperative Complications
• Retrospective Studies
• Thoracoscopy