Robotic thoracic esophagectomy with radical lymphadenectomy: A preliminary study

INTRODUCTION: Esophagectomy with the maximal number of harvested lymph nodes remains the mainstay for esophagus cancer (EC) treatment. The present study aims to evaluate the short and long-term outcomes of patients with EC who underwent robotic esophagectomy (RE) with thoracic radical lymphadenectomy.
METHODS: Between April 2015 and April 2018, consecutive patients who underwent RE were retrieved from a prospectively maintained registry. Patient demographics, operative variables and postoperative outcomes were assessed.
RESULTS: In this study, there were 22 (10 females) patients (mean age was 60.3±8.9 years). The mean operative time and estimated blood loss was 456±71.85 minutes and 213±157 mL, respectively. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 24.5±9.96. The overall 30-day complication rate was 36% (n=8). OS was calculated as 87% during 25.6 (range, 12-51) months of mean follow-up time.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: According to our limited number of patients, robotic technology was safe and feasible in esophageal cancer surgery. Comparative studies with the robotic approach are needed.