Initial experience with uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery esophagectomy

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Multiportal thoracoscopic esophagectomy is a standard minimally invasive procedure.
• Limited data exists on uniportal VATS esophagectomy.
• This study evaluates the preliminary experience with uniportal VATS esophagectomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short-term outcomes of uniportal VATS esophagectomy.
• To compare uniportal VATS with multiportal VATS for esophagectomy.
• To assess perioperative mortality, complications, oncological radicality, pain, and cosmetic results.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 12 patients undergoing uniportal VATS esophagectomy (McKeown technique) from December 2016 to November 2017.
• Data collected included perioperative outcomes, complications, and oncological results.
• Outcomes were evaluated based on collected clinical data.

Main Results:

• Mean operative time was 104.67 minutes, with a mean of 10.44 thoracic nodes removed.
• No local recurrence was observed; 83.3% of patients were alive with no evidence of disease at follow-up.
• Complications included anastomotic leak (16.7%) and chylothorax (8.3%); mean postoperative pain was low (1.92/10).

Conclusions:

• Uniportal VATS esophagectomy is a safe, feasible, and effective alternative to multiportal VATS.
• It offers potential advantages in reduced postoperative pain and improved cosmetic outcomes.
• Further studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.