[Thoraco laparoscopic esophagectomy versus open esophagectomy: a meta-analysis of outcomes].

Objective To evaluate the outcomes of thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy venus open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.Methods Literature search was performed using PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,and Google Scholar databases,CBM,and CNKI from inception to July2011 for comparative studies assessing thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy and open esophagectomy.Data were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews.Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.1.Results A total of 10 studies involving 1017 patients were included for the analysis. Four hundred and fifty-five patients underwent thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy and 562 patients underwent open esophagectomy.There were no significant differences between the two groups in anastomotic leak,30-day mortality,and number of lymph node retrieved(P＞0.05).However,thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy had lower blood loss,less operative time,and reduced respiratory complications (P＜0.05).There were no significant differences between the two groups in overall complications, cardiac complications,anastomotic stricture,recurrent laryngeal nerve injury,length of stay,ICU stay,and 3-year survival (all P＞0.05).Conclusion Thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is feasible and safe as open esophagectomy. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms;  Esophagectomy;  Thoracopy;  Laparoscopy;  Meta-analysis