[A Case of Laparoscopic Transhiatal Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer after Chemoradiotherapy]

Patients with esophageal cancer often have various comorbidities, and these sometimes limit treatment choices. We report a case of esophageal cancer surgically treated using laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy after chemoradiotherapy in an elderly man with interstitial lung disease. A 77-year-old man who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of esophageal cancer and interstitial lung disease. We diagnosed T4 esophageal cancer, and administered chemoradiotherapy. The chemoradiotherapy reduced the size of the tumor, but an esophageal stricture remained. A non-transthoracic approach was thought to be an appropriate choice for a patient at high risk for postoperative respiratory complications. Laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy was performed safely and successfully. In the postoperative course, temporary tracheotomy was necessary, but the tracheotomy tube was ultimately removed, after which he was able to consume food.