Outcomes of robotic esophagectomy Review


Authors: Young, A.; Alvarez Gallesio, J. M.; Sewell, D. B.; Carr, R.; Molena, D.
Review Title: Outcomes of robotic esophagectomy
Abstract: Esophagectomy has long been considered the standard of care for early-stage (≤ T2N0) esophageal cancer. Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), using a combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approach, was first performed in the 1990s and showed significant improvements over open approaches. Refinement of MIE arrived in the form of robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) in 2004. MIE is a challenging procedure for which consensus on optimal technique is still elusive. Although nonrobotic MIE confers significant advantages over open approaches, MIE remains associated with stubbornly high rates of complications, including pneumonia, aspiration, arrhythmia, anastomotic leakage, surgical site infection, and vocal cord palsy. RAMIE was envisioned to improve operative-associated morbidity while achieving equivalent or superior oncologic outcomes to nonrobotic MIE. However, owing to RAMIE's significant upfront costs, steep learning curve, and other requirements, adoption remains less than widespread and convincing evidence supporting its use from well-designed studies is lacking. In this review, we compare operative, oncologic, and quality-of-life outcomes between open esophagectomy, nonrobotic MIE, and RAMIE. Although RAMIE remains a relatively new and underexplored modality, several studies in the literature show that it is feasible and results in similar outcomes to other MIE approaches. Moreover, RAMIE has been associated with favorable patient satisfaction and quality of life. © Journal of Thoracic Disease.
Keywords: treatment outcome; patient satisfaction; surgical technique; review; outcome assessment; quality of life; esophagus resection; minimally invasive surgery; esophagus cancer; esophagectomy; esophageal cancer; clinical outcome; human; robot assisted surgery; open thoracotomy; minimally invasive esophagectomy (mie); robotic-assisted esophagectomy
Journal Title: Journal of Thoracic Disease
Volume: 13
Issue: 10
ISSN: 2072-1439
Publisher: Pioneer Bioscience Publishing Company  
Date Published: 2021-10-01
Start Page: 6163
End Page: 6168
Language: English
DOI: 10.21037/jtd-2019-rts-07
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC8575850
PUBMED: 34795967
DOI/URL:
Notes: Review -- Export Date: 1 December 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Daniela   Molena
    271 Molena
  2. David Bruce Sewell
    6 Sewell
  3. Rebecca Ann Carr
    22 Carr