OBJECTIVETo evaluate the outcomes of thoraco laparoscopic esophagectomy venus open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

METHODSLiterature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases, CBM, and CNKI from inception to July 2011 for comparative studies assessing thoraco laparoscopic esophagectomy and open esophagectomy. Data were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.1.

RESULTSA total of 10 studies involving 1017 patients were included for the analysis. Four hundred and fifty-five patients underwent thoraco laparoscopic esophagectomy and 562 patients underwent open esophagectomy. There were no significant differences between the two groups in anastomotic leak, 30-day mortality, and number of lymph node retrieved(P>0.05). However, thoraco laparoscopic esophagectomy had lower blood loss, less operative time, and reduced respiratory complications(P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in overall complications, cardiac complications, anastomotic stricture, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, length of stay, ICU stay, and 3-year survival(all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThoraco laparoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is feasible and safe as open esophagectomy.