Hybrid Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy vs. Open Esophagectomy: A Retrospective Propensity Score Matched Comparison

Background and Objectives: Though widely used, only limited data is available that shows the superiority of hybrid minimally-invasive esophagectomy (HMIE) compared to open esophagectomy (OE). The present study aimed to analyze postoperative morbidity, mortality, and compare lengths of hospital stay. Materials and Methods: A total of 174 patients underwent Ivor Lewis esophagectomy in our surgical department, of which we retrospectively created a matched population of one hundred (HMIE n = 50, OE n = 50). Morbidity and mortality data was categorized, analyzed, and risk factor analyzed for complications. Results: The oncological results were found to be comparable in both groups. A median of 23.5 lymphnodes were harvested during OE, and 21.0 during HMIE. Negative tumor margins were achieved in 98% of OE and 100% of HMIE. In-hospital mortality rate showed no significant difference between techniques (OE 14.0%, HMIE 4.0%, p = 0.160). Hospital (OE Median 23.00 days, HMIE 16.50 days, p = 0.004) and ICU stay (OE 5.50 days, HMIE 3.00 days, p = 0.003) was significantly shorter after HMIE. The overall complication rate was 50%, but complications in general (OE 70.00%, HMIE 30%, p < 0.001) as well as severe complications (Clavien Dindo ≥ III: HMIE 16.0%, OE 48.0%, p < 0.001) were significantly more common after OE. In multivariate stepwise regressions the influence of OE proved to be independent for said outcomes. We observed more pulmonary complications in the OE group (46%) compared to HMIE patients (26%). This difference was statistically significant after adjustment for sex, age, BMI, ASA classification, histology, neoadjuvant treatment or not, smoking status, cardiac comorbidities, diabetes mellitus, and alcohol abuse (p = 0.019). Conclusions: HMIE is a feasible technique that significantly decreases morbidity, while ensuring equivalently good oncological resection compared to OE. HMIE should be performed whenever applicable for patients and surgeons.