Salvage Robotic-Assisted Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy after Definitive Chemoradiotherapy for Clinical T4b Esophageal Cancer: A Case Report

Abstract BackgroundAlthough twenty years have passed since the start of robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy, salvage esophagectomy by robotic-assisted surgery has not yet been introduced by almost surgeons. Theoretically, robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy (RATE) increases operative precision and maneuverability within the narrow space of the mediastinum. However, surgeons have doubted that RATE is indicated for patients with tumor invasion of adjacent vital organs clinically (cT4b) or patients with scar tissue from definitive chemoradiotherapy. Herein, we report our case of salvage RATE for cT4b thoracic esophageal cancer which invaded to the left main bronchus before definitive chemoradiotherapy.Case presentationA man in his 60’s with middle thoracic esophageal cancer [cT4b (left main bronchus) N1 M0 cStage IIIC] received definitive chemoradiotherapy (fluorouracil and cisplatin, total radiation dose of 60 Gy). After the chemoradiotherapy, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a residual primary tumor, and we performed robotic-assisted thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction via a retrosternal route with three-field lymphadenectomy. Although it was difficult to dissect the tumor from adjacent organs, especially in the left main bronchus and pericardium, due to the scarring after definitive chemoradiotherapy, R0 surgery was achieved. With RATE, the high-resolution three-dimensional images, stable surgical field and stable motion are considerable advantages for salvage esophagectomy for cT4b tumors. At present (30 months after surgery), the patient’s performance status is 0 and he is alive without a recurrence. ConclusionsRobot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy provided considerable advantages for salvage esophagectomy after definitive chemoradiotherapy for a cT4b tumor.