Abstract
Background Thoracoscopic-laparoscopic procedures have been used more in the operations of esophagus
cancer; in most times we call it minimally invasive esophagectomy, which is becoming
mature. However, the efficacy of minimally invasive esophagectomy is still unclear,
especially about the dissection of lymph nodes and survival.
Methods A retrospective review was performed. The development process of minimally invasive
esophagectomy for esophageal cancer was divided into three stages: the first stage
20, the second stage 37, the third stage 50.
Result Total 107 patients underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy between July 2010 and
May 2015. The number of lymph node resected during the three stages increased significantly,
with a mean of 12.65, 15.91, and 20.16 nodes, respectively (p = 0.0075). The number of lymph nodes dissection greater than or equal to 12 or 18
increased significantly (p = 0.000). The patients from the first and the second stages had the similar 2-year
survival rate (p = 0.8618). There is no significant difference in the 2-year disease-free survival
rate (p = 0.606).
Conclusion Surgeons accumulate experience on lymphadenectomy during minimally invasive esophagectomy
as time goes by, and experience on 50 to 60 cases is essential and necessary to accomplish
an apparent progress.
Keywords
minimally invasive esophagectomy - esophageal cancer - lymph node - survival analysis
