Experiences with a simple laparoscopic gastric tube construction

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is a complex procedure with evolving techniques.
• Optimal surgical methods for MIE, particularly gastric tube construction, require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a simple laparoscopic method for gastric tube construction in MIE for esophageal cancer.
• To assess the feasibility and outcomes of this novel technique.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 26 patients undergoing MIE for esophageal cancer.
• Analysis of perioperative data, operative time, blood loss, and postoperative complications.

Main Results:

• MIE was successfully completed in all 26 patients without conversion to open surgery.
• Mean operative time was 430.4 minutes; mean blood loss was 135.0 mL.
• The postoperative complication rate was 53.8%, with no surgical mortality.

Conclusions:

• A novel, total laparoscopic stapled formation of the gastric tube is recommended.
• This technique facilitates gastric pull-up in minimally invasive esophagectomy.