Minimal access oesophagectomy; review of out come

Minimal access oesophagectomy may be performed by thoraco-laparoscopic or laparoscopic transhiatal techniques. Thoracoscopy gives a better visualization of intra-thorasic anatomy than trashiatal approach but has the disadvantage of making lung collapse during surgery a requirement. A comparison was done of both techniques. Surgery was completed safely by both methods. Thoracoscopy took more time and patients were electively ventilated for one day whereas transhiatal group were extubated in the immediate post operative period. Two patients of thoracoscopy group required re-intubation for lung infections and one of them died. If post operative Pulmonary care is improved thoracoscopy may be the better technique as it allows more precise oncologically acceptable dissection.