INTRODUCTION OF A NEW SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: THORACOLAPAROSCOPIC ESOPHAGECTOMY FOR ESOPHAGEAL CANCER WITHOUT MINILAPAROTOMY

Huy Lưu Lê, Văn Hiệp Trần, Ngọc Trung Lê, Quốc Hạnh Trần, Quang Nghệ Huỳnh, Văn Chinh Nguyễn, Cao Phương Duy Lê

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Abstract

Introduction: Surgical treatment is the most important and effective therapy for resectable esophageal cancer. Currently, minimally invasive surgery has gradually replaced open surgery in esophagectomy, helping to limit surgical trauma, reduce respiratory complications, speed up recovery and improve cosmetic efficiency. Thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy, lymph node dissection and the use of gastric conduit replacement for the esophagus are commonly used. However, most surgical centers today use a minilaparotomy to construct a gastric conduit and to extract surgical specimens. In order to minimize the invasiveness, we can construct the gastric conduit under laparoscopy and then, a cervical incision can be made for extraction of surgical specimen and made anastomosis of the esophagus with the gastric conduit. Thus avoiding abdominal incision to decrease surgical trauma and improve the cosmetic effect. In this paper, we describe this technique and the focus on the technique's safety and feasibility. Methods: Clinical case-based technique description. Discussion: The paper also explores the developmental process of esophagectomy surgery and addresses issues related to the transhiatal specimen retrieval technique. Conclusions: The adjustment of certain steps in thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy for treating esophageal cancer, including laparoscopic gastric conduit construction and transhiatal specimen retrieval, not only enhances the benefits of minimally invasive and cosmetic aspects but also renders the surgical procedure more favorable in terms of safety.

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References

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