Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy in patients with esophageal cancer: an update on experiences from a tertiary cancer care center in India

Abstract

Purpose: Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) for esophageal cancers, has gained traction in the last decade due to its positive surgical outcomes. The present study is an update to our earlier published data, in which we discuss the new developments in terms of perioperative and postoperative outcomes of our patients. Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective data of patients who underwent RAMIE for esophageal cancers between January 2020 to October 2024 at a tertiary cancer center in India. Results: A total of 52 patients have undergone RAMIE at our center to date. The median age of the cohort was 56.02 ± 11.69 years, with a slight male predominance (n = 29, 55.77%). Majority of the patients were of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification II (n = 40, 76.92%), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status 1 (n = 35, 67.30%), with no comorbidities (n = 36, 69.23%), and presented with stage 2 disease (n = 21, 40.37%). Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant histological subtype (n = 31, 59.62%). The median operative time was 111.6 (range, 60-180) minutes with a median lymph node harvest of 12 (range, 7-24). The median intensive care unit stay was 2 (range, 2-5) days, and the median total hospital stay was 6 (range, 3-9) days. No major postoperative complications were observed. The 30-day mortality rate was reported in two patients (3.85%). Conclusion: The results of our research indicate that RAMIE may serve as a safe and effective surgical option for esophageal cancers, leading to improved perioperative and postoperative outcomes.