Transthoracic Esophagectomy Combined with Regional Lymphadenectomy and Reconstruction with Delayed Urgency Versus Transmediastinal Esophagectomy and Immediate Reconstruction: Effect on Cardiopulmonary Function

Regional lymphadenectomy is essential in reliable tumor staging and one of the basic principles in the surgical treatment of cancer. This has also been found to be true in the case of esophageal carcinoma [2]. One major disadvantage is the need for an extended operative procedure involving transthoracic access which results in a two-cavity operation with severe disturbance in respiratory function [1]. One possibility for avoiding the increased risk associated with a single-stage abdominothoracic operation is reconstruction with delayed urgency.