Minimally Invasive Ivor -Lewis Esophagectomy - Analysis of Perioperative Oncological and Short Term Outcomes

Abstract Background Trans thoracic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy is the widely adopted procedure for gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Minimally invasive esophagectomy has been shown to be superior in comparison to the traditional open approach in terms of pulmonary complications and lymph node yield. We present our experience of minimally invasive Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy in this review. Methods A retrospective review of the patients who underwent minimally invasive Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy at a single center between September 2009 and April 2023 was performed. The perioperative and short term outcomes were analyzed. Results A total of 195 patients 147 males (75.38%) underwent minimally invasive Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy during the study period. The median (range) age was 62 (48-77) years. The median operative time was 435 (310-530) minutes. The median estimated blood loss was 125 (80-250) ml. R0 resection was achieved in all the patients. The median lymph node yield, ICU stay and overall hospital stay were 22 (12-30), 3.5 (2-12) days and 10 (7-33) days respectively. Pulmonary complications were the most common seen in 24 (12.31%) patients. Anastomotic leak was noted in 5 (2.56%), chyle leak in 2 (1.02%), recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis in 12 (6.15%) patients. Anastomotic stricture was noted in 22 (11.28%) patients who were managed with endoscopic dilatation. Thirty day mortality was observed in 4 (2.05%) patients. Conclusion Minimally invasive Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy is associated with good perioperative oncological and short term outcomes when performed in a specialist esophageal center