Esophagectomy is one of the most complicated procedures. Satisfactory anesthesia not only ensures the safety in terms of low morbidity and mortality postoperatively, but also one of the potential factors relevant to long-term survival. Most of physicians, however, ignore the significance of anesthesia. This article focuses on the recent advances of anesthesia for esophagectomy in preoperative preparation for induction, rapid-sequence induction, one-lung ventilation, fluid management during surgery and postoperative early extubation and analgesia.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; methods ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans

Esophageal surgery has developed for almost 100 years. Esophagectomy can be performed via left, right thoracotomy, even via hiatus without thoracotomy due to its unique anatomic characteristics. Left thoracotomy was the initial approach in the world, and has still been performed by Chinese colleagues, but Ivor Lewis (right side thoracotomy) procedure is popular in western countries. Currently, esophagectomy by right thoracotomy has been accepted worldwide since its radical dissection for tumor. Therefore, video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy based on right thoracotomy will be the mainstream surgery for esophageal cancer in the future since its minimal invasion and tumor dissection.
Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Thoracoscopy ; methods

Surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment for esophageal cancer, although improvements have been made in surgical maneuvers and perioperative care, serious complications still occur after operation. The reconstruction of alimentary tract is a key procedure to ensure success of operation, it is related to perioperative complication and prognosis. Selection of procedure should be individualized based on the stage and location of the disease, medical condition and the surgeon's experience.
Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Humans

Analgesia, Epidural ; methods ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision

In the past decade, fast track surgery protocols have been implemented in several fields of surgery. With these protocols, a faster recovery and shorter hospital stay can be accomplished. Fast track surgery may improve patients' satisfaction while reducing the hospitalization expenses. Through literature review combined with our clinical practice, this article aims to evaluate practical measures of a fast track surgery protocol in esophagectomy for esophageal cancer and their clinical application.
Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Length of Stay

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.

Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Thoracoscopy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility and early results of radical resection of esophageal carcinoma using single-port thoracoscopy combined with laparoscopy.

METHODSFrom March 2010 to December 2010, 6 patients with esophageal carcinoma underwent radical resection by single-port thoracoscopy combined with laparoscopy in the General Hospital of People's Liberation Army. With the patients at a supine position, laparoscopy was performed to complete stomach mobilization and abdominal lymph node dissection. Thoracoscopy was then carried out with the patients lying on the left to mobilize the esophagus and dissect thoracic lymph nodes. Finally, the stomach was pulled into the thoracic cavity via the hiatus of the diaphragm to construct a tube-like stomach, which was then anastomosed to the esophagus using the OrVil system.

RESULTSNo patient was converted to open surgery during the operation. The total operative time ranged from 200 to 320 min. The mean laparoscopic time was 75(range, 45-90) min, and the mean thoracoscopic time 160(120-240) min. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 220(160-300) ml. The mean lymph node retrieval was 12(9-18). No anastomotic fistula, chylothorax, lung infection were found postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONAfter esophageal resection using single-port thoracoscopic and laparoscopy, reconstruction using OrVil system is safe and feasible.

Aged ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracoscopy ; methods

Surgical approaches for esophageal carcinoma are many and varied. Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly used widely in esophagectomy as they not only ensure patients' therapeutic effects, but also reduce trauma and accelerate recovery. The lymph nodes excisional area of esophageal carcinoma is still in controversy. It is necessary to carry out further researches on selective lymph nodes excision, which can decrease complication rate and improve patients' survival in the meantime.
Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures

Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor with a high incidence in China. At pesent, advanced esophageal cancer patients are still frequently encountered. The primary treatment for resectable advanced esophageal cancer is surgery-based multimodality therapy, including preoperative neoadjuvant therapy, such as chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy, followed by radical esophagectomy with thoraco-abdominal two-field or cervico-thoraco-abdominal three-field lymphadenectomy via minimally invasive approach or thoracotomy. In addition, adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or chemoradiotherapy, or immunotherapy may also be administered if suggested by postoperative pathological results. Although the treatment outcome of esophageal cancer has improved significantly in China, many clinical issues remain controversial. In this article, we summarize the current hotspots and important issues of esophageal cancer in China, including prevention and early diagnosis, treatment selection for early esophageal cancer, surgical approach selection, lymphadenectomy method, preoperative neoadjuvant therapy, postoperative adjuvant therapy, and nutritional support treatment.
Humans ; Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods* ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Esophagectomy/methods*