Minimally-invasive surgery has been demonstrated to be an optimal approach in visceral surgery. Laparoscopy is associated with less postoperative pain, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stay. Esophagectomy is a complex operation with significant morbidity. Minimally-invasive approaches can nonetheless reduce this morbidity. Over the last years, hybrid techniques have been introduced, in which one part of the surgical procedure is laparoscopic or thoracoscopic while the other one is performed via the open approach.
Key words
Esophageal cancer, minimally-invasive surgery, laparoscopic gastrolysis