Successful management following combined thoracic endovascular aortic repair and minimally invasive esophagectomy for primary aortoesophageal fistula: A case report.

Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but life-threatening pathology. We report a case of a primary AEF that was successfully managed with temporary thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and esophagectomy with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A 73-year-old man was transferred to the emergency department with a complaint of hematemesis. A computed tomography scan identified an AEF due to aortic aneurysm. We placed a stent using TEVAR for the purpose of hemodynamic stasis, and the operation was performed 23 h after admission. Right video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy (VATS-E) was chosen, and a cervical esophagostomy and a feeding gastrostomy tube was constructed. Infection had been effectively controlled postoperatively. Four months after the first operation, we performed esophageal reconstruction. At the 70-month follow-up examination, the patient had no signs of mediastinitis. VATS-E immediately after hemostabilization by TEVAR is useful management for primary AEF.

An original technique for lymph node dissection along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve after stripping the residual esophagus during video-assisted thorocoscopic surgery of esophagus.

BACKGROUND: A clear operative view of the middle and lower mediastinum is possible in prone position during video-assisted thorocoscopic surgery of esophagus (VATS-E), but the working space in the upper mediastinum is limited and lymph node dissection along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is difficult in this position. METHODS: Esophagectomy and lymph node dissection are performed for pneumothorax by maintaining CO2 insufflation in the prone position. Working space in the left upper mediastinal area for lymph node dissection around RLN is limited in this position. To create space, the residual esophagus is stripped in the reverse direction and retracted toward the neck after the stomach tube is removed through the nose. Lymph node dissection is performed after stripping the residual esophagus. RESULTS: We could obtain a clear operative field in the upper left mediastinum by stripping the residual esophagus in the prone position, enabling safe and straightforward lymph node dissection along the left RLN. The rate of permanent RLN paralysis was 1.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Lymph node dissection along the left RLN after esophageal stripping is possible in the prone position during VATS-E.