Robotic esophageal mobilization: A new norm in the future?

Background: Esophageal cancer is one of the common cancer with high mortality. Radical resections offer the best survival. However, traditional radical resection involves thoracotomy, resulting in pulmonary complications. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has overcome this but requires a long learning curve and limitations in certain areas. Robotic-assisted thoracic mobilization has shown promising results. Here, we are sharing initial experience of robotic esophageal mobilization. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the feasibility, safety, and learning curve of performing robotic esophageal mobilization among patients with esophageal cancers. Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of medical records was conducted for 33 cases who underwent robotic esophageal mobilization in our institute from August 2016 to August 2019. Results: The study population comprised 24 men and 9 women. The mean age of presentation was 55.3 years. Mean operative time was 204 min, and mean thoracic mobilization time was 108 min. The mean lymph node retrieval was 16.6. The postoperative surgical complications were less such as pulmonary complication, i.e., pneumonia in three patients and recurrent nerve palsy, anastomotic leak, and surgical site infection in 1 patient each. There was no procedure-related mortality. Conclusion: Robotic-assisted esophageal mobilization can be safely done without compromising the oncological safety with less postoperative pulmonary complications.