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Updated: May 12, 2026

Low-Cost Single-Port (LoCoSP) Device for a Transcervical Approach in Minimally Invasive Transhiatal Esophagectomy
Published on: September 11, 2021
Advances in esophageal surgery in elderly patients with thoracic esophageal cancer
Masaru Morita1, Hajime Otsu, Hiroyuki Kawano
1Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. masarum@surg2.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Aim:
To justify esophagectomy for elderly patients.
Patients And Methods:
A total of 1,002 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy were divided into three groups: I (≤ 74 years old, n=898); II (75-79 years, n=81); and III (≥ 80 years, n=23). Historical changes were compared between the first surgical period (1964-1989) and the second period (1990-2011).
Results:
The morbidity rates were 40%, 41% and 26% in the respective groups. Pulmonary complications decreased historically in groups II and III (36% to 15% and 43% to 0%, respectively). The mortality was higher in the older groups (4.8%, 8.6% and 13.0%, respectively); however, there was a marked historical decrease in groups II (18.2% to 5.1%) and III (28.6% to 6.3%). The 5-year survival improved from 5% to 35% in group II and from 0% to 17% in group III.
Conclusion:
The outcomes of esophagectomy for elderly patients have markedly improved, with acceptable mortality even in octogenarians.
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