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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
An Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy Designed to Minimize Anastomotic Complications and Optimize Conduit Function
Published on: April 17, 2020
Minimally invasive esophagectomy: short- and long-term outcomes
S Leibman1, B M Smithers, D C Gotley
1Upper Gastrointestinal and Soft Tissue Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia.
Background:
We aimed to assess the outcomes including the effect on quality of life (QoL) of a group of patients having a minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).
Methods:
Patients with esophageal cancer were offered MIE over a 22-month period. Data on outcomes were collected prospectively, including formal quality-of-assessments.
Results:
There were 25 patients offered MIE. Two patients were converted to a laparotomy to improve the lymphadenectomy. There were no deaths. Respiratory problems (pneumonia, 28%) were the most common in the 64% of patients who had a complication. The median blood loss was 300 ml, time of surgery 330 min, and time to discharge 11 days. There was a decrease in the measured QoL both in general and specifically for the esophageal patients, taking 18-24 months to return to baseline.
Conclusions:
MIE was performed with morbidity similar to other approaches. There were no clear benefits shown in this group of patients with respect to postoperative recovery or short- to medium-term QoL.
