Objective To compare the differences in postoperative pulmonary function and quality of life between synchronous and combined mediastinoscopy with laparoscopic radical resection of esophageal cancer, providing evidence for selecting the optimal surgical approach. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent minimally invasive mediastinoscopic esophagectomy at Huaihe Hospital of Henan University from January 2023 to January 2025. Patients were divided into two groups based on surgical approach: the synchronized laparoscopic inflatable mediastinoscopy (SPIMSLE) group and the inflatable video-assisted mediastinoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy (IVMTE) group. Propensity score matching (1 : 1) was applied to balance baseline characteristics. Perioperative indicators, pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio), postoperative complications, pain levels (NRS score), and quality of life were statistically analyzed. Results A total of 173 patients were enrolled, including 110 males, 63 females with a mean age of (62.5±6.2) years. After matching, each group comprised 80 patients. No significant differences were observed in gender, age, tumor location, or clinical stage (all P>0.05). The SPIMSLE group demonstrated superior outcomes: shorter operative time [(100.32±15.28) vs. (134.53±16.43) min, P<0.001], less intraoperative blood loss [(40.13±12.73) mL vs. (69.45±12.34) mL, P<0.001), and shorter postoperative hospitalization [(10.50±2.00) d vs. (12.50±2.50) d, P<0.001]. At 1-6 months postoperatively, the SPIMSLE group showed faster recovery in pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, P<0.05), lower complication rates (16.25% vs. 40%, P<0.001), reduced pain (NRS score, P<0.05), and improved quality of life (P<0.05). No significant difference was noted in lymph node dissection (P>0.05). All patients were followed up until June 2025, with no recurrence, metastasis, or mortality among the 160 cases. Conclusion Compared to IVMTE, SPIMSLE offers shorter operative time, reduced blood loss, faster pulmonary recovery, fewer complications, milder pain, and better quality of life, demonstrating significant clinical advantages.
ObjectiveTo determine the influence of high BMI on postoperative complications in a cohort of squamous esophageal cancer patients. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 450 consecutive esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy in our hospital from September 2010 through November 2012 year. The patients were divided into three groups. Forty-five patients were classified as a low BMI group (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), 304 patients were classified as a normal BMI group (18.5≤BMI < 25.0 kg/m2), and 101 patients as a high BMI group (BMI≥25.0 kg/m2). Patients' demographics, tumor characteristics, and postoperative complications were compared among the three groups. ResultsThe comorbidity of diabetes was higher in the high BMI group compared with the other two groups (P=0.025). Longer operative time, wound infection or delayed healing were more frequent in the high BMI group (P=0.010 and P=0.039, respectively). Pneumonia and length of hospital stay had a tendency to increase in the high BMI group (P=0.052 and P=0.081, respectively). However, the differences did not reach statistical significance. There was no statistical difference in pulmonary embolism, respiratory failure, anastomotic leakage, vocal code paresis, chylothorax, other organ damage, reoperation, arrhythmia, or in-hospital mortality among the three groups. ConclusionsHigh BMI has a negative impact on postoperative morbidity after esophagectomy. However, overweight is not a postoperative complications which should always be paid attention to.
Objective To evaluate the characteristics and reasons of complications in the patients with thoracoscopic esophagectomy. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 165 patients with thoracoscopic esophagectomy in our hospital from January 2013 through January 2015. There were 102 males and 63 females at average age of 67.9±8.3 years. Results The operation time was 275.3±50.2 min. The intraoperative blood loss was 230.0±110.5 ml. The number of lymph node dissection was 18.1±6.5. The volume of drainage in thoracic cavity was 750±550 ml on the third day after operation. Thoracoscopic esophagectomy surgeries were successful except that 13 patients (7.8%) converted to open operation including 6 patients (4.2%) with severe pleural adhesion, 2 patients (1.2%) with hemorrhage, 2 patients (1.2%) with arrhythmia, and 3 patients (1.8%) with abnormal oxygenation. There were 17 patients (10.8%) were with intraoperative complications including 2 patients (1.2%) with arrhythmia, 3 patients (1.8%) with abnormal oxygenation, 7 patients (4.2%) with hemorrhage caused by vascular injury, 4 patients (2.4%) with thoracic duct injury, 1 patient (0.6%) with recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Moreover, 46 patients (27.8%) experienced postoperative complications including 23 patients (13.9%) with pulmonary infection, 6 patients (3.6%) with hoarseness, 4 patients (2.4%) with anastomotic leakage, 3 patients (1.8%) with incision infection, 2 patients (1.2%) with tracheoesophageal fistula, and 2 patients (1.2%) with pneumothorax. Unexpectedly, five patients underwent re-operation due to chylothorax (n=3, 1.8%) and hemorrhage (n=2, 1.2%). One patient (0.06%) died of acute pulmonary embolism. Conclusion Serious adhesion in abdominal cavity, abnormal of lung and heart. And bleeding are the main reasons caused transferring open thoracic surgery operation in patients with thoracoscopic esophagectomy. Lung infection, hoarseness, and anastomotic leakage of neck are the most common postoperative complications. And acute pulmonary embolism is the main cause of postoperative death. Proper precautions to decrease the morbidity of complication are necessary.
ObjectiveTo investigate the prognostic survival status and influence factors for surgical treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in pathological stage T1b (pT1b).MethodsThe patients with ESCC in pT1b undergoing Ivor-Lewis or McKeown esophagectomy in Lanzhou University Second Hospital from 2012 to 2015 were collected, including 78 males (78.3%) and 17 females (21.7%) with an average age of 61.4±7.4 years.ResultsThe most common postoperative complications were pneumonia (15.8%), anastomotic leakage (12.6%) and arrhythmia (8.4%). Ninety-three (97.9%) patients underwent R0 resection, with an average number of lymph node dissections of 14.4±5.6. The rate of lymph node metastasis was 22.1%, and the incidence of lymph vessel invasion was 13.7%. The median follow-up time was 60.4 months, during which 25 patients died and 27 patients relapsed. The overall survival rate at 3 years was 86.3%, and at 5 years was 72.7%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that lymph node metastasis (P=0.012, HR=2.60, 95%CI 1.23-5.50) and lympovascular invasion (P=0.014, HR=2.73, 95%CI 1.22-6.09) were independent risk factors for overall survival of pT1b ESCC.ConclusionEsophagectomy via right chest approach combined with two-fields lymphadenectomy is safe and feasible for patients with pT1b ESCC. The progress of pT1b ESCC with lymph node metastasis or lymphovascular invasion is relatively poor.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of preoperative glucocorticoid on systemic inflammatory indexes and pulmonary inflammation after radical esophagectomy.MethodsA total of 44 patients with esophageal cancer treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from July 2019 to September 2020 were selected and randomly divided into an intervention group and an observation group by random number table. There were 22 patients in the intervention group, including 20 males and 2 females with an average age of 62.86±5.22 years and 22 patients in the observation group, including 19 males and 3 females with an average age of 63.00±6.19 years. Two groups were given thoracoscope-assisted incision via right chest, upper abdomen and left neck. The intervention group was given an intravenous infusion of methylprednisolone 500 mg before induction of anesthesia, and the observation group was given the same dose of normal saline. The second generation cephalosporins were routinely used to prevent infection in the two groups. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), lymphocyte and neutrophil count before operation and 1 day, 3 days and 5 days after operation were recorded and compared between the two groups. Utrecht Pneumonia Scoring System (UPSS) score 1 day after operation, the healing of the surgical incision and the anastomotic leakage within 2 weeks after the operation were evaluated.ResultsThe level of IL-6 in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the observation group at 1 hour and 1 day after operation (both P<0.05). CRP showed significant difference between the two groups 2 days after operation (P=0.044). The white blood cell count in the intervention group was significantly less than that in the observation group 1 day and 3 days after operation (both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in lymphocyte or neutrophil count between the two groups 1 day after operation. There was no significant difference in the rate of non-grade A wound healing or the incidence of anastomotic leakage between the two groups within 2 weeks after operation. The pneumonia score of UPSS in the intervention group was lower than that in the observation group 1 day after operation (P=0.027).ConclusionThe use of glucocorticoid before radical esophagectomy can reduce the systemic inflammatory reaction and improve the short-term postoperative pulmonary inflammation. At the same time, no adverse effect on the healing of surgical incision and anastomotic stoma is found, which has certain safety.
Objective To classify the postoperative complications (POCs) in patients receiving esophagectomy and find risk factors of different grades of complications. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 298 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy from January 2012 to August 2015 in our hospital. According to the postoperative complications, they were divided into two groups: the complication group (n=113) and the non-complication group (n=185). In the complications group, there were 86 males and 27 females with an average age of 61.42±7.81 years. There were 150 males and 35 females with an average age of 60.39±7.76 years in the non-complication group. The POCs were classified by Clavien-Dindo system. All possible factors influencing the occurrence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅴ POCs were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used for seeking independent risk factors of POCs. Results The incidence of grade Ⅱ POCs was 29.87% (89/298), 5.37% (16/298) for grade Ⅲ and 2.68% (8/298) for grade Ⅳ and Ⅴ. The most common POC was lung infection with the incidence of 13.76%. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed the operation duration and the number of lymph node dissection were the independent risk factors of grade Ⅱ-Ⅴ POCs. Conclusion Postoperative lung infection is the major complication in patients receiving esophagectomy. The operation duration and the number of lymph node dissection are the independent risk factors of grade Ⅱ-Ⅴ POCs.
ObjectiveTo compare the short-term outcomes of Da Vinci robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) and video-assisted thoracoscopic-laparoscopic minimally invasive esophagectomy (VAMIE) for esophageal cancer. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of patients with esophageal cancer admitted to Gansu Provincial People's Hospital from January 2021 to February 2025. Based on the surgical method, patients were divided into a RAMIE group and a VAMIE group. Both groups underwent standard McKeown three-incision surgery and systematic three-field lymph node dissection. Intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph nodes dissected, postoperative recovery indicators, and complication rates were compared. ResultsA total of 126 patients with esophageal cancer were included, of which 109 were male and 17 were female, with an average age of (64.6±8.8) years. The RAMIE group consisted of 36 patients and the VAMIE group 90 patients. There was no statistical difference in baseline indicators such as age, sex, and body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05). The difference in operation time between the two groups was not statistically significant [305.0 (280.0, 348.0) min vs. 300.0 (268.8, 340.0) min, P=0.457]. Compared with the VAMIE group, the RAMIE group had less intraoperative blood loss [100.0 (100.0, 120.0) mL vs. 100.0 (100.0, 200.0) mL, P=0.035], more intraoperative fluid infusion [(2244.7±610.3) mL vs. (1954.4±457.9) mL, P=0.013], a higher number of lymph nodes dissected [(27.9±10.6) nodes vs. (21.3±5.1) nodes, P<0.001], and the difference in the number of lymph node dissection groups was not statistically significant [8.0 (6.0, 8.0) groups vs. 7.0 (5.0, 8.0) groups, P=0.268]. In terms of postoperative recovery indicators, compared with the VAMIE group, the RAMIE group had shorter postoperative hospital stay [12.5 (9.0, 18.0) d vs. 17.0 (14.0, 22.0) d, P＜0.001] and shorter time with tubes [9.0 (8.0, 10.0) d vs. 10.0 (9.0, 12.0) d, P=0.007]. In terms of postoperative complications, the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in the RAMIE group was significantly lower than that in the VAMIE group (2.8% vs. 16.7%, P=0.039), there was no statistical difference in pulmonary infection, anastomosis leakage, and incision infection between the two groups (P>0.05). The total hospitalization cost of the RAMIE group was significantly higher than that of the VAMIE group (P<0.001). ConclusionRAMIE has significant advantages over VAMIE in terms of intraoperative bleeding control, the number of lymph node dissections, postoperative recovery speed, and reducing the risk of incision infection and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, with good safety and feasibility.