Sternotomy for esophagectomy: Is it worth the risk?

In this issue of the Journal, Okamura and colleagues1 present an interesting and complex case of esophagectomy for cT2N1M0 squamous cell carcinoma in a 66-year-old patient with a remote history of right pneumonectomy for non –small cell lung cancer. The procedure entailed a combination of an upper mediastinal lymphadenectomy that was performed through a partial sternotomy and a laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy. This approach was chosen because the patient was not a candidate for definitive chemoradiation in view of the risk of toxicity to his remaining lung, although he did receive induction chemotherapy.
Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tags: Editorial Commentary Source Type: research