Evidence-Based Surgical Approach to Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer: How We Do Robotic Transhiatal Lower Mediastinal Dissection and Esophagojejunostomy

Abstract

Currently available data suggest that gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers with an esophageal extension less than 2 cm can be removed using gastrectomy with a limited esophagectomy via a transhiatal approach and selective lower mediastinal dissection.1 In this multimedia article, we demonstrate our approach to robotic total gastrectomy with data-driven mediastinal lymph node (LN) dissection and sutured esophagojejunostomy for GEJ cancer. The video shows the case of a 63-year-old man with Siewert type 2 GEJ adenocarcinoma. The size of the tumor was 3 cm, and its esophageal extension was 2 cm. The man underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy (5-FU/oxaliplatin, 45 Gy) with excellent treatment effect. After dissection of the esophagus from the bilateral diaphragmatic crus, surrounding lymph node (LN) tissue (#110) was identified and dissected. In this case, intraoperative findings showed the posterior lower mediastinal LNs (#112) to be swollen, and they were sampled. Surgeons should take care to avoid penetration of the pleura and thoracic duct injury if pleura penetration is oncologically unnecessary. Because the esophagus often is thickened and prone to ischemia after preoperative chemoradiotherapy,2 the authors perform the anastomosis with hand-suturing techniques regardless whether a robotic or open approach is used. The patient recovered well and was discharged on postoperative day 4 in good condition. Pathology reported a ypT1bN0 tumor with negative margins.