Understanding of the lower mediastinal lymph node dissection in the adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction through abdomino-transhiatal approach

Abstract

In recent years, the incidence of adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) keeps increasing. Siewert type II and type III AEG invades at 2-4 cm in the lower esophagus, and it has a higher rate of lower mediastinal lymph node metastasis. Lower mediastinal lymph node clearing through the abdomino-transhiatal (TH) approach is preferred, which can be accomplished by entering the lower mediastinum through the hiatus and mobilize the esophagus upward and the surrounding lymph and connective tissue for approximately 6.5 cm. Using the infracardiac bursa (IBC) as an anatomical landmark improves the safety and operability of the thorough dissection of the lower mediastinum. Total resection of the mesenterium at the esophagogastric junction can entirely dissect the lower mediastinal lymph nodes, which conforms to the safety principles in oncology.