Short-term outcomes of robot-assisted esophagectomy / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate our early results of robot-assisted esophagectomy (RAE) and present our learning curve experience with the largest study from one-single institution of China.Methods Between November 2015 and April 2017,a series of consecutive patients undergoing RAE at Shanghai Chest Hospital were reviewed.The patients'demographics,operative and postoperative outcomes were demonstrated.Results A total of 154 patients underwent RAE during the study.All patients received Mckeown esophagectomy and extensive thoraco-abdominal two-field lymph node dissection.Of these,122 were male and 32 were female.The mean total operative duration was 179-445 (271.0 ±61.5) min and the operative duration of the thoracic phase was 51-142 (96.7 ± 27.0)min.The mean estimated blood loss was 100 -1 000 (230.4 ±74.4)ml.The pathological results showed that 150 had squamous cell carcinoma,2 had adenocarcinoma,and 2 had small cell carcinoma.The R0 resection was 92.2％.The mean number of lymph node dissection was 11-64 (20.4 ± 8.5) and the lymph node sampling rate along left and right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) were 92.2％ and 88.3％.The morbidity was present in 64 of 154 patients (41.6％).The major complications rate was anastomotic leak (12.3％),and vocal cord paralysis (16.9％).Intensive care unit (ICU) hospital stay time was 0-27 (2.7 ± 3.6) d,the median length of hospital stay was 7-81 (15.8 ± 11.6)days.There was no 90-day mortality.Conclusions RAE is a safe and feasible alternative for treatment of esophageal cancer.RAE can improve the efficacy of lymph node dissection,especially for the lymphadenectomy along recurrent laryngeal nerve.