Use of efficient purse-string stapling technique for esophagogastric anastomosis in minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is increasingly accepted in the treatment of locoregional or advanced esophageal cancer. Laparoscopic-thoracoscopic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy has been proved to be effective in treating middle and distal esophageal cancer, however, intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis is technically complex. When using circular stapler for making intrathoracic anastomosis in MIE, both transoral and transthoracic methods are frequently used for delivering the anvil into the esophageal stump. Herein, we report a new method to construct a thoracoscopic esophagogastric anastomosis by using a circular stapler: efficient purse-string stapling technique (EST). This technique is easy to handle and especially good to be used in patients with distal esophageal cancer or expanded esophageal cavity.