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Purpose: Due to improved survival of esophageal cancer patients, long-term quality of life (QoL) is increasingly gaining importance. The aim of this study is to compare QoL outcomes between open Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (Open-E) and a hybrid approach including laparotomy and a robot-assisted thoracic phase (hRob-E). Additionally, a standard group of healthy individuals serves as reference., Methods: With a median follow-up of 36 months after hRob-E (n = 28) and 40 months after Open-E (n = 43), patients' QoL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QoL Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and the EORTC Esophagus specific QoL questionnaire 18 (QLQ-OES18)., Results: Patients showed similar clinical-pathological characteristics, but hRob-E patients had significantly higher ASA scores at surgery (p < 0.001). Patients and healthy controls reported similar global health status and emotional and cognitive functions. However, physical functioning of Open-E patients was significantly reduced compared to healthy controls (p = 0.019). Operated patients reported reduced role and social functioning, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, dyspnea, and diarrhea. A trend towards a better pain score after hRob-E compared to Open-E emerged (p = 0.063). Regarding QLQ-OES18, hRob-E- and Open-E-treated patients similarly reported eating problems, reflux, and troubles swallowing saliva., Conclusions: The global health status is not impaired after esophagectomy. Despite higher ASA scores, QoL of hRob-E patients is similar to that of patients operated with Open-E. Moreover, patients after hRob-E appear to have a better score regarding physical functioning and a better pain profile than patients after Open-E, indicating a benefit of minimally invasive surgery., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Robotic-assisted procedures are increasingly used in esophageal cancer surgery. We compared postoperative complications and early oncological outcomes following hybrid robotic-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy (Rob-E) and open Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (Open-E), performed in a single mid-volume center, in the context of evolving preoperative patient and tumor characteristics over two decades., Methods: We evaluated prospectively collected data from a single center from 1999 to 2020 including 321 patients that underwent Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, 76 underwent Rob-E, and 245 Open-E. To compare perioperative outcomes, a 1:1 case-matched analysis was performed. Endpoints included postoperative morbidity and 30-day mortality., Results: Preoperative characteristics revealed increased rates of adenocarcinomas and wider use of neoadjuvant treatment over time. A larger number of patients with higher ASA grades were operated with Rob-E. In case-matched cohorts, there were no differences in the overall morbidity (69.7% in Rob-E, 60.5% in Open-E, p value 0.307), highest Clavien-Dindo grade per patient (43.4% vs. 38.2% grade I or II, p value 0.321), comprehensive complication index (median 20.9 in both groups, p value 0.401), and 30-day mortality (2.6% in Rob-E, 3.9% in Open-E, p value 1.000). Similar median numbers of lymph nodes were harvested (24.5 in Rob-E, 23 in Open-E, p value 0.204), and comparable rates of R0-status (96.1% vs. 93.4%, p value 0.463) and distribution of postoperative UICC stages (overall p value 0.616) were observed., Conclusions: Our study demonstrates similar postoperative complications and early oncological outcomes after Rob-E and Open-E. However, the selection criteria for Rob-E appeared to be less restrictive than those of Open-E surgery., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Centralization of esophageal cancer surgery to high-volume institutions has been shown to improve perioperative outcomes in several studies. However, there is an ongoing debate, whether defined minimal annual hospital volumes for esophagectomies are required for quality assurance. The aim of the study was to assess perioperative outcomes of esophagectomies in a single institution in Switzerland., Methods: Data from a database of esophagectomies performed between 2004 and 2013 was analyzed. Perioperative morbidity of esophagectomies due to cancer was assessed according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Postoperative mortality was defined as death from any cause within the same hospital stay., Results: A total of 143 operations (125 transthoracic esophagectomies, 18 extended transhiatal gastrectomies) were performed in the surveyed 10-year period. Two surgeons performed 91 % of all procedures. Postoperative morbidity was 43.4 %. Complications with a Clavien-Dindo score of III/IV (requiring surgical, endoscopic, or radiological intervention) occurred in 19 cases (13.4 %). The overall anastomotic leak rate was 3.5 %. Pulmonary complications were the most frequent postoperative problems involving 21 % of patients. In-hospital mortality was 0.7 %. Mean length of hospital stay was 17 days in patients with no complications and 22 days if there were any complications (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Esophageal cancer surgery is complex and has a significant risk of morbidity. The most common postoperative problems are pulmonary complications, usually responding well to non-invasive treatment. Appropriate patient selection and preparation, high surgeon volume, and a comprehensive multidisciplinary care pathway can provide a low perioperative mortality rate in a mid-volume institution.

Background: Esophagectomy has a potentially high impact on physical, emotional, and social functions. The aim of this study was to assess long-term health-related quality of life (QOL) after esophageal cancer surgery., Methods: We analyzed all patients who underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for resectable esophageal cancer in our hospital from 1999 to 2010. QOL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer general questionnaire QLQ-C30 and esophagus-specific questionnaire QLQ-OES18., Results: A total of 150 patients were operated in the surveyed 12-year period. At the time of analysis, 46 patients (31 %) were eligible for assessment, 97 patients (65 %) had died or experienced tumor recurrence, and seven patients (5 %) were lost to follow-up. Of the 46 eligible patients, 43 (94 %) returned the questionnaires. The median observation interval between the operation and QOL assessment was 40 (range 21-135) months. The QLQ-C30 mean score of global health status and general QOL was similar to that of a healthy reference population. Most of the QLQ-C30 mean scores of functional and symptom scales and QLQ-OES18 symptom scales showed a worse result than for a healthy reference population. The highest mean scores were reflux and eating problems., Conclusions: In the long term, Ivor Lewis esophagectomy provides a generally good QOL for patients with esophageal cancer, which is comparable to a healthy reference population. However, some patients suffer from significant symptoms. Reflux and eating problems were the most relevant complaints. Dietary counseling is therefore important in the postoperative course.