[Abdomino-thoracoscopic esophagus resection--an animal experiment study]

Based on animal trials the presented study results describe a method of abdomino-thoracoscopic oesophagectomy for the treatment of oesophageal carcinoma of the middle and lower third. Technical details and the advantages of the surgical procedure, including the avoidance of thoracotomy and the practicability of the thoracoscopic dissection of the oesophagus are shown. Problems exist in the salvage of the specimen, especially in the transcervical passage of the tumorbearing oesophageal part. A final evaluation of the importance of the minimally invasive techniques in oesophageal surgery should not be given until the results of clinical studies are available.