Minimal Invasive Surgery for Esophageal Cancer

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy is only established in some centers and a?ords a cervical anasto- mosis because intrathoracic anastomosis as a routine is technically too di?cult. Laparoscopic mobilisation of the stomach (gastrolysis) is an important contribution for minimal invasive surgery of esophageal cancer. This procedure reduces the stress of the two cavity operation for the patient and allows the construction of a comparable gastric conduit like by open surgery. The technique of laparoscopic gastrolysis as prepa- ration for transthoracic en bloc esophagectomy is described in detail and preliminary results are brie?y mentioned.