Comparison of robot-assisted esophagectomy and thoracoscopic esophagectomy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare robot-assisted esophagectomy (RE) with thoracoscopic esophagectomy (TE) for the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS: A total of 105 patients who underwent RE (n=62) or TE (n=43) due to ESCC were included in this study. Early postoperative outcomes and long-term survivals between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: . 7.8±7.1 in TE; P=0.007). Five-year overall survival was not different between the two groups (69% in RE and 59% in TE; P=0.737). CONCLUSIONS: Better quality lymphadenectomy could be achieved in RE although survival benefit was not clear. Prospective randomized studies comparing the RE and TE are necessary.