Thoracic Duct Resection During Esophagectomy Does Not Contribute to Improved Prognosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Propensity Score Matched-Cohort Study

Purpose Esophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy remains the mainstay of treatment for localized esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Thoracic duct (TD) resection has been recommended as part of extended lymphadenectomy, although its merits are unclear. The aim of this two-institutional, matched-cohort study is to clarify whether TD resection improves prognosis in esophagectomy for ESCC.