Initial results of robot-assisted Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy with intrathoracic hand-sewn anastomosis in the prone position.

Background: There is scanty experience concerning robot-assisted Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy, so every new experience is helpful.

Methods: We describe the techniques and short-term results of Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy using a laparoscopic approach and robot-assisted thoracoscopy, and an observational study of prospective surveillance of the first 14 patients treated for oesophageal cancer. A gastric tube was created laparoscopically. Oesophagectomy was performed through a robot-assisted thoracoscopy followed by hand-sewn intrathoracic anastomosis.

Results: There were no conversion cases. Mortality was zero. Six patients had a major complication. There were no cases of respiratory complication or recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Three patients had a radiological fistula (21.4%), successfully treated by endoscopic stenting, and one (7.1%) had an anastomosis leak needing reoperation. There were two cases of chylothorax (14.3%).

Conclusions: Our initial results suggest that the reported technique is safe and satisfies the oncological principles. It provides the advantages of minimally invasive surgery by overcoming some limitations of conventional thoracoscopy.