[Robot-assisted Minimally Invasive Oesophagectomy - Surgical Variants of Intrathoracic Circular Stapled...

Anastomotic insufficiency after oesophagectomy contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality of affected patients. A safe surgical technique can reduce the incidence of such anastomotic insufficiencies.

In the treatment of oesophageal cancer, the German guideline recommends minimally invasive or hybrid surgical procedures. In most cases, Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy and continuity reconstruction using a gastric sleeve are performed. Circular stapler anastomosis seems to be superior.

The preparation of the anastomosis starts intra-abdominally with mobilisation of the stomach and sparing of the gastroepiploic vessels. After the subsequent intrathoracic mobilisation of the oesophagus, the actual anastomosis construction can take place. Here, the oesophagus is either transected with a stapler closure or openly with scissors. This is followed by a purse-string suture on the open oesophageal stump. Alternatively, partial oesophageal opening with prior purse-string suture may later facilitate insertion of the stapler anvil. The anvil is placed in the oesophageal stump via minithoracotomy or alternatively transorally using a special gastric tube system. Subsequently, the anvil is fixated using the previously performed purse-string suture. Now the gastric sleeve can be pulled into the thorax. The oesophagus and small gastric curvature are placed extrathoracically through the minithoracotomy and a circular stapler is inserted into the gastric tube via an opening of the small curvature. The anastomosis then must be placed remotely from the gastroepiploic arcade. After construction of the anastomosis, the gastric sleeve is separated using a linear stapler. Eventually, the oesophagus and small gastric curvature can be completely recovered. Optionally, an additional suturing over the anastomosis and dissection margin of the gastric sleeve can be performed.

In robot-assisted oesophagectomy, the reconstruction of continuity with a circular stapler anastomosis is quite possible and seems comparatively easier to learn. Nevertheless, variations are still possible within this procedure. However, there is no scientific evidence on the advantage for any method in a direct comparison.