Comparative study of three types of lymphadenectomy along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve by minimally invasive esophagectomy

Background The objective of this study was to compare three kinds of lymphadenectomy methods along the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and assess the safety and effectiveness of the new method. Methods A total of 194 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) at our institution from May 2013 to May 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the method of lymphadenectomy along the left RLN, the patients were divided into three groups: 75 cases underwent the conventional method (A group), 80 cases the skeletonized method (B group) and 39 cases the modified Bascule method (C group). The number of dissected lymph nodes and surgical outcomes were recorded and compared to identify differences among the three groups. Results The frequency of metastasis to the LRLN lymph node was 18.6% among all patients, and 12%, 20% and 28% in groups A, B and C, respectively. The number of harvested lymph nodes (total/chest/LRLN/LRLN+) in group B and group C were significantly greater than that of group A, but not significant between group B and group C. The hoarseness rate in group C was 15.4%, which was lower than the rate in group B (21.3%) and higher than the rate in group A (13.3%), but there was no statistical significance. Conclusions The new method for lymphadenectomy along the left RLN during MIE in the semi-prone position is safe and reliable. It provides sufficient lymph node dissection along the left RLN.