The Clinical Research Of The Left Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Lymph Node (RLN LNs) Resection In Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy By Videothoracoscopy

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to estimate the technics and patterns of radical lymph node dissection in esophagectomy by Video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS).MethodsVideo recordings of 87 patients with this disease, who underwent esophagectomy with lymph node dissection by VATS, were retrospectively reviewed. In the test group,42 patients received artificial pneumothorax and single lumen tracheal intubation including some practical technics comparing among the others in the control group.ResultsThe technics performed in the test group were better than in the control group because of less time consuming(128.3±21.5 vs 151.7±27.1, t=2.467, p=0.016), completely mediastinal lymph nodes resection(19.8±8.8 vs 17.2±7.5, t=2.184, p=0.032), and especially lower rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury[0 vs 5(11.11%), t=4.951, p=0.026] and pulmonary infection [1 (2.38%) vs 7(15.56%), t=4.516, p=0.034].ConclusionImproving the anesthesia, the surgery technics, lymphadenectomy pattern, and reasonable utilization of instruments promoted the efficiency of surgery, limited the postoperative complications, and benefited patients.