Video-assisted thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy: the experience of Shanghai Chest Hospital

The traditional open esophagectomy is associated with higher morbidity, while minimally invasive procedures could be accompanied with a lower one. In this case, the patient is placed in the prone-decubitus position and the surgeon stands in front of the patient. The “four ports” approach is adopted in the thoracoscopic procedure with CO₂ insufflation, and the esophagus and lymph nodes are dissected. In the laparoscopic procedure, “hand assistant technique” is employed. The esophagogastric anastomosis is similar with McKeown procedure.