Authors: T Fabian A A McKelvey M S Kent J A Federico
Publish Date: 2007/03/01
Volume: 21, Issue: 9, Pages: 1667-1670
Abstract
Minimally invasive esophagectomy is a complex surgical procedure We recently began performing thoracic mobilization of the esophagus with the patient in the prone position not the left lateral decubitus position in the hope of minimizing the number of technical challengesSix consecutive minimally invasive esophagectomies were performed using prone thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization with creation of cervical anastamosis Our esophagectomy database was evaluated for outcomes including operative time estimated blood loss complications and length of hospital stayWe were successful in our first six attempts with a mean blood loss of 61 cc Mean operative time for thoracoscopy was 80 min Operative times were steady over the first six prone cases at 105 85 70 55 80 and 85 min Three of the six patients had no complications Median postoperative length of hospital stay was 115 days and there were no deathsThis technical report and case series demonstrates that prone thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization appears to be a reasonable alternative to the same procedure performed with the patient in the decubitus position We find the technique to simplify portions of an otherwise difficult surgical procedure Further evaluation with larger number of patients should be performed
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