Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) esophagectomy in the treatment of esophageal cancer.
Methods: From June 2004 to October 2007, video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy was performed in 36 patients, including 29 men and 7 women with median age of 58.9 years old. The cancer located at upper segment in 5 cases, middle 25 cases and lower 6 cases. VATS approach was used to mobilize the intrathoracic esophagus and stomach was mobilized by open approach. Esophagogastric anastomosis was performed in the left neck.
Results: The mean operative time was 250 minutes (190-330 min) and average time of VATS was 70 minutes. The mean hospital stay was 8.7 days. Mean lymph node harvest was 14.3 nodes. Post-operative complications occurred in 11 patients(30.6%), but no perioperative death occurred.
Conclusion: Video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy is technically feasible and safe with lower morbidity and shorter hospital stay as compared to open procedure, and may replace the open esophagectomy in selected patients.