Objective To study the indication,feasibility and short-term efficacy of combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical esophagectomy for the treatment of esophageal cancer.Methods Retrospective medical records analysis was conducted for 139 esophageal cancer patients who underwent combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy in our department from December 2009 to August 2011.The tumors were located in upper esophagus in 16 cases,middle esophagus in 107 cases,and lower esophagus in 16 cases.The surgery started with the thoracoscopic mobilization of thoracic esophagus and lymph nodes dissection,which were followed by the laparoscopic stomach mobilization and gastroesophageal anastomosis in left neck.Postoperative pathological staging identified stage Ⅰ esophageal cancer in 25 cases ( stage Ⅰ a:13 cases,stage Ⅰ b:12 cases),stage Ⅱ esophageal cancer in 71 cases,stage Ⅲ esophageal cancer in 31 cases ( stage Ⅲ a:16 cases,stage Ⅲ b:15 cases) and stage Ⅳ esophageal cancer in 12 cases.Results Except for open conversions in 4 cases (2.9％),all surgical operations were completed smoothly.Postoperative anastomotic leak was found in 6 cases(4.3％ ),chylothorax in 1 case(0.7％ ),arrhythmia in 4 cases(2.9％ ),and dumping syndrome in 1 case( 0.7％ ).All of these complicated cases fully recovered after conservative treatments.Postoperative lung infection was found 11 cases (7.9％),3 of whom required tracheotomy and assisted ventilation and 1 case died as a result of the infection (mortality rate:0.7％ ).Ten cases(7.2％ ) presented with hoarseness postoperatively.Out of the 139 cases,130 cases were successfully followed up with durations ranged from 1 to 20 months,during of time the esophageal cancer spread to liver in 2 cases,celiac lymph nodes in 4 cases,lung in 2 cases,and bone in 1 case.Ten cases died,and all remaining cases remained alive during the follow up.The one-year survival rate was 88.9％ for these cases.Conclusion Combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical esophagectomy is a technically safe and feasible treatment for esophageal cancer.The short-term efficacy results are satisfactory.This technique is indicated not only for early and middle stage esophageal cancer,but also for some of the advanced esophageal cancer cases.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and feasibility of forgoing postoperative nasogastric tube decompression in minimally invasive esophagectomy for patients with esophagus carcinoma.

METHODSClinical data of 90 eligible patients who underwent elective minimally invasive esophagectomy in our department from January 2012 to May 2013 by the same surgical team were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 45 patients did not receive the use of postoperative nasogastric tube decompression and 45 patients received nasogastric tube decompression after operation. The observation parameters included the time to first flatus, the time to intake of fluid diet, the duration of postoperative hospitalization, pharyngalgia, vomiting, and postoperative complications, as well as the need for placing or replacing the nasogastric tube.

RESULTSThe incidence of pharyngalgia was significantly higher in nasogastric tube group (100% vs 44.4%, P<0.001). The time to intake of fluid diet [median 2 d(2-4 d) vs. median 9 d(7-20 d), P<0.001] and the time to first flatus [median 3 d(3-8 d) vs. median 6 d(3-9 d), P<0.001] were all significantly shorter in non-nasogastric tube group as compared to nasogastric tube group. Compared with the nasogastric tube group, the non-nasogastric tube group had shorter postoperative hospital stay (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications and vomiting between two groups.

CONCLUSIONMinimally invasive esophagectomy without the use of postoperative nasogastric tube decompression is safe and feasible, which can improve recovery and shorten postoperative hospital stay.

Decompression ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies