Endoskopie 2011; 20(2): 62-65
In the past decade, the development of mini-invasive surgery positively affected operative lethality and morbidity in resections
of the esophagus. Early post-operative complications were always associated with the unfavourable localisation of the esophagus
in the mediastinum, which is only accessible via two approaches. The first, transhiatal approach, represents dissection without
visual control when using a conventional operative method, and the second, thoracotomy, is accompanied by a higher frequency
of respiratory complications. The video-assisted transhiatal approach to the lower half of the esophagus, which we have been using
at the 1st Department of Surgery at the University Hospital Olomouc for the past 11 years, appears to be ideal, since it allows
esophageal resection without opening the thorax and also enables isolation of the esophagus, including local lymphadenectomy
under visual control. The authors in their work present their experiences with this method, including complications and their
subsequent treatment.
Published: September 1, 2011 Show citation