Do robotic arms retrieve more lymph nodes during an esophagectomy?

Abstract

Esophagectomy is considered as one of the surgeries in ultra-major scale that carries significant morbidity and mortality. The outcome of esophagectomy is directly related to surgeons' experience and hospital volume. Minimal invasive esophagectomy (MIE) aimed to achieve transthoracic esophagectomy and adequate lymph node dissection while reducing morbidities related to open thoracotomy. Results showed that MIE was associated with significantly lower blood loss, shorter length of stay with no difference in the number of lymph node dissected.