Abstract
Robotic esophagectomy offers similar benefits to the patient as minimally invasive esophagectomy (IE) through thoracoscopic and/or laparoscopic techniques. We consider any patient that is a candidate for esophagectomy to be a candidate for robotic esophagectomy as well. Robotic techniques can be applied to Ivor Lewis, modified McKeown, or transhiatal esophagectomies. We describe our technique for the abdominal and thoracic phases (performed robotically), and cervical phase, of these operations. Advantages of using robotics for esophagectomy include the ability of the surgeon to control the camera and retraction rather than relying on an assistant, better surgeon ergonomics for what can be long and complex cases, the simplicity of using the platform for visualization of real-time perfusion with indocyanine green (ICG) dye, and greater ease of performing an anastomosis in the chest. Operative times, perioperative results, morbidity, and mortality have been comparable to non-robotic MIE. © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.