Minimally invasive esophagectomy: A treatment modality for esophageal cancers in Pakistan - A case series

Abid Jamal,Sameer Ur Rehman

doi:10.5348/ijcri-2011-09-52-cs-2

Abstract

Introduction : There is an increase in incidence of esophageal cancers in Pakistan, particularly squamous cell cancer, due to a rise in tobacco use in different forms. Possibly, the only therapeutic option for esophageal cancers, to date, is the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical esophageal resection. Case Series : For the very first time, we report fives cases in Pakistan where Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy was adopted as a treatment modality for the management of esophageal cancers. Conclusion: Open esophageal resection has a high morbidity and mortality. In addition, it involves long Intensive Care Unit stay, in-hospital stay and long recovery period. Minimally invasive esophagectomy seems to have the potential to improve this, if employed frequently in the management of esophageal cancers. Based on our initial experience of Minimally

Highlights

There is an increase in incidence of esophageal cancers in Pakistan, squamous cell cancer, due to a rise in tobacco use in different forms
Esophagectomy was adopted as a treatment modality for the management of esophageal cancers
Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE) is a commonly employed treatment modality in the west as opposed to open esophagectomy in our country; with studies reporting a lower mortality rate and shorter hospital stay in videoscopic methods [3,4]

Summary

Introduction

There is an increase in incidence of esophageal cancers in Pakistan, squamous cell cancer, due to a rise in tobacco use in different forms. Series: For the very first time, we report fives cases in Pakistan where Minimally Invasive. In a very short period of time minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has revolutionized the management of surgical disorders. It has shifted the focus of surgery towards reducing the morbidity and mortality without compromising on the quality of healthcare. Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE) is a commonly employed treatment modality in the west as opposed to open esophagectomy in our country; with studies reporting a lower mortality rate and shorter hospital stay in videoscopic methods [3,4]. We present fives cases of esophageal cancers in Pakistan where MIE was adopted as a treatment modality. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever reported case series on MIE from Pakistan

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Discussion

Conclusion