173. feasibility and potential advantage of robot-assisted esophagectomy for ct4b esophageal cancer

Abstract Background Advantages of robot-assisted esophagectomy (RAMIE) includes operator-led stable surgical field with stereoscopic HD surgical vision and robotic instruments with EndoWrist technology. However, feasibility and potential benefit of RAMIE for cT4b thoracic esophageal cancer remain unclear. Patients A total of 16 cases with cT4b esophageal cancer treated with RAMIE between Feb, 2019 and April, 2023 were reviewed. Surgical technique and peri-operative factors in addition to short term outcome were evaluated in the present study. Results Background parameters of all 16 cases are as follows; median age = 70.5(42–81), gender (male/female) = 10/6, histology (SCC/Adenoca) =13/3, tumor location (Ut/Mt/Lt) = 4/6/6, invaded organs (Tr/Br/Ao/other) = 7/2/2/5, cN0/1/2/3 = 1/10/4/1, cM0/1 = 11/5, cStage3/4 = 11/5, and preoperative treatment (none/chemotherapy/CRT/both) = 0/9/6/1. In terms of surgical outcomes, median operation time/console time (thoracic procedure) were 506 (403–833)/253 (194–459) min while estimated blood loss was 116 (15–2090) ml. R0 resection was achieved in all cases without conversion to open procedure. Overall postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo classification≧grade3) was 31.3% and the common morbidities were palsy of recurrent laryngeal nerve (n = 2) and anastomotic leakage (n = 2), followed by chylothorax (n = 1), pneumonia (n = 1), and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (n = 1). No hospital death (within 90 days) was identified and median postoperative hospital stay was 21 (14–142) days. Surgical videos of cT4b cases to show in our presentation include #1; Mt cT4 (Ao, ltPV) case previously treated with definitive CRT followed by immunotherapy where combined resection of aortic adventitia layer was performed by RAMIE and #2; Ut, cT4 (Tr, ltSCA) case previously treated with definitive CRT. We also discuss potential advantages of RAMIE over conventional approach together with protective measures to be taken in cT4b cases. Conclusion RAMIE for cT4b esophageal cancer seems to be feasible and might have potential advantage over conventional approach.