Clinical significance of left tracheobronchial lymph node dissection in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

In thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, station left tracheobronchial lymph node metastases indicate a poor prognosis and left tracheobronchial lymph nodes dissection seems to be associated with a more favorable prognosis. Clinical T stage and tumor differentiation were independent risk factors for left tracheobronchial lymph node metastases. For patients with high risk, routine prophylactic left tracheobronchial lymph node dissection should be performed.