ASSESSMENT OF THE OUTCOMES, FEASIBILITY, AND SAFETY OF LATE (LAPAROSCOPY-ASSISTED TRANSHIATAL ESOPHAGECTOMY) FOR SUBJECTS WITH ESOPHAGUS CARCINOMA

Abstract

Background: Management of carcinoma of the esophagus is also done using the total laparoscopic approach which has not
yet gained popularity globally as it is a complex procedure. Also, the existing literature data is scarce in the literature
concerning LATE for esophagus carcinoma.
Aim: The present study aimed to assess the outcomes, feasibility, and safety of LATE (laparoscopic-assisted transhiatal
esophagectomy) in subjects with carcinoma of the esophagus.
Methods: The present study assessed 52 subjects with carcinoma of the esophagus that was assigned for LATE (laparoscopicassisted transhiatal esophagectomy) by a single surgical team during the study period. The mean age of the study subjects was
54.8±2.4 years and the age range of 33-70 years.
Results: The mean hospital stay duration, blood loss, and operative time were 11.3 days (7-26), 300 ml (100-500), and 300
minutes (160-650) respectively. Cervical anastomotic leak and pulmonary complications were seen in 11.5% (n=6) and 30.7%
(n=16) subjects respectively. AJCC staging was IIA, IIB, IIIA, and IIIB in 3.84% (n=2), 11.5% (n=6), 38.46% (n=20), and
46.15% (n=24) subjects respectively. Surgical resection margins were negative in all the subjects except in 3.8% (n=2)
subjects. The mean retrieved lymph nodes were 11 (8-26). During the mean 19 follow-up months, mortality and recurrence
was seen in 11.5% (n=6) and 19.23% (n=10) subjects.
Conclusions: The present study concludes that LATE (laparoscopic-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy) is a feasible and safe
procedure for the management of the selected subjects having carcinoma of the lower thoracic esophagus.