Current Issues in Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

ABSTRACT

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) was first introduced in the 1990s. Currently, itis a widely accepted surgical approach for the treatment of esophageal cancer, as it isan oncologically sound procedure; its advantages when compared to open procedures,including reduction in postoperative complications, reduction in the length of hospitalstay, and improvement in quality of life, are well documented. However, debates are stillongoing about the safety and efficacy of MIE. The present review focuses on some of thecurrent issues related to conventional MIE and robot-assisted MIE based on evidence fromthe current literature.