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Updated: May 13, 2025
Low-Cost Single-Port LoCoSP Device for a Transcervical Approach in Minimally Invasive Transhiatal Esophagectomy
Published on: September 11, 2021
Single-Port Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy Using the Single-Port Robotic System via the Subcostal
Jun Hee Lee1, Byung Mo Gu1, Hyeong Hun Song2
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) has gained global popularity. Recent randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that RAMIE results in reduced operative times and a greater number of dissected lymph nodes compared to conventional minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). This study provides an initial analysis of single-port (SP) robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (SRAMIE) using the SP robotic system via the subcostal approach. The primary objective is to examine perioperative outcomes of SRAMIE compared to multi-port RAMIE (MRAMIE) using the Xi robotic system and video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy (VAE).
Methods:
In this retrospective study, patients who underwent MIE at a single center between February 2017 and December 2024 were analyzed. Patients were divided into SRAMIE (n = 17), MRAMIE (n = 13), and VAE (n = 23) groups. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes included chest tube duration, length of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pain levels, and 30-day mortality.
Results:
The SRAMIE group did not experience conversions to thoracotomy or VAE. Compared with VAE, SRAMIE resulted in significantly shorter chest tube duration (p = 0.038), shorter postoperative hospital stays (p = 0.036), and lower peak postoperative pain (p = 0.003). No significant differences were observed among the groups regarding the total operative time, number of resected lymph nodes, or incidence of postoperative complications.
Conclusions:
SRAMIE is a feasible approach offering advantages over VAE in recovery and postoperative pain. The comparable perioperative outcomes suggest that SRAMIE may be a viable alternative to conventional MIE, warranting further large-scale studies.
