ABSTRACT
We present successful surgical treatment of a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hyperparathyroidism undergoing renal replacement therapy. At baseline, parathyroidectomy via cervical access was performed for parathyroid adenomas. After 6 years, clinical and laboratory relapse of disease required thoracoscopic resection of atypically located anterior mediastinal adenoma. This case demonstrates that this disease is one of the most difficult in modern medicine requiring a special approach in diagnosis and treatment. Patients with CKD and hyperparathyroidism need for follow-up, control of total and ionized serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus and parathormone, osteodensitometry, ultrasound and scintigraphy of thyroid and parathyroid glands, and, if necessary, CT or MRI of the neck and chest organs.
Subject(s)
Adenoma , Parathyroid Neoplasms , Parathyroidectomy , Humans , Parathyroid Neoplasms/surgery , Parathyroid Neoplasms/complications , Parathyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis , Parathyroidectomy/methods , Adenoma/surgery , Adenoma/complications , Adenoma/diagnosis , Treatment Outcome , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/surgery , Parathyroid Glands/surgery , Middle Aged , Thoracoscopy/methods , Male , Female , Mediastinal Neoplasms/surgery , Mediastinal Neoplasms/complications , Mediastinal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary/surgery , Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary/etiology , Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary/diagnosis , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/diagnosis , Mediastinum/surgeryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Robotic surgical systems with full articulation of instruments, tremor filtering, and motion scaling can potentially overcome the procedural difficulties in endoscopic surgeries. However, whether robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) can overcome anatomical difficulties during thoracoscopic esophagectomy remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the anatomical and clinical factors that influence the difficulty of RAMIE in the thoracic region. METHODS: Forty-five patients who underwent curative-intent RAMIE with upper mediastinal lymph node dissection for esophageal cancer were included. Using preoperative computed tomography images, we calculated previously reported anatomical indices to assess the upper mediastinal narrowness and vertebral body projections in the middle thoracic region. The factors influencing thoracic operative time were then investigated. RESULTS: During the thoracic procedure, the median operative time was 215 (124-367) min and the median blood loss was 20 (5-190) mL. Postoperatively, pneumonia, anastomotic leakage, and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 17.8%, 2.2%, and 6.7% of the patients, respectively. The multiple linear regression model revealed that a narrow upper mediastinum and greater blood loss during the thoracic procedure were significant factors associated with a prolonged thoracic operative time (P = 0.025 and P < 0.001, respectively). Upper mediastinal narrowing was not associated with postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: A narrow upper mediastinum was significantly associated with a prolonged thoracic operative time in patients with RAMIE.
Subject(s)
Esophageal Neoplasms , Esophagectomy , Lymph Node Excision , Operative Time , Robotic Surgical Procedures , Thoracoscopy , Humans , Esophagectomy/methods , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods , Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Aged , Lymph Node Excision/methods , Thoracoscopy/methods , Retrospective Studies , Mediastinum/surgery , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It was typically necessary to place a closed thoracic drainage tube for drainage following esophageal cancer surgery. Recently, the extra use of thoracic mediastinal drainage after esophageal cancer surgery had also become more common. However, it had not yet been determined whether mediastinal drains could be used alone following esophageal cancer surgery. METHODS: A total of 134 patients who underwent esophageal cancer surgery in our department between June 2020 and June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 34 patients received closed thoracic drainage (CTD), 58 patients received closed thoracic drainage combined with mediastinal drainage (CTD-MD), while 42 patients received postoperative mediastinal drainage (MD). The general condition, incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, postoperative NRS score, and postoperative anastomotic leakage were compared. The Mann-Whitney U tests, Welch's t tests, one-way ANOVA, chi-square tests and Fisher's exact tests were applied. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative hyperthermia, peak leukocytes, total drainage, hospitalization days and postoperative pulmonary complications between MD group and the other two groups. Interestingly, patients in the MD group experienced significantly lower postoperative pain compared to the other two groups. Additionally, abnormal postoperative drainage fluid could be detected early in this group. Furthermore, there was no significant change in the incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage and the mortality rate of patients after the occurrence of anastomotic leakage in the MD group compared with the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Using mediastinal drain alone following esophageal cancer surgery was equally safe. Furthermore, it could substantially decrease postoperative pain, potentially replacing the closed thoracic drain in clinical practice.
Subject(s)
Drainage , Esophageal Neoplasms , Esophagectomy , Feasibility Studies , Postoperative Complications , Humans , Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Drainage/methods , Esophagectomy/adverse effects , Esophagectomy/methods , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Aged , Mediastinum/surgery , Mediastinum/pathology , Follow-Up Studies , Prognosis , Anastomotic Leak/etiology , Anastomotic Leak/epidemiology , Chest TubesABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is a serious health problem with a high mortality rate. In the context of surgical management, minimally invasive approaches, including uniportal thoracoscopic techniques, offer potential benefits such as faster recovery and increased patient cooperation. The aim of this study was to compare the accessibility of the mediastinal lymph nodes between uniportal and multiportal thoracoscopic approaches and to verify whether the use of the uniportal approach affects the radicality of the lymphadenectomy. METHODS: A comparative study conducted from January 2015 to July 2022 at the University Hospital Ostrava focused on evaluating the radicality of mediastinal lymphadenectomy between subgroups of patients undergoing surgery using the uniportal thoracoscopic approach and the multiportal thoracoscopic approach. RESULTS: A total of 278 patients were included in the study. There were no significant differences in the number of available lymphatic stations between the subgroups. The mean number of lymph node stations removed was 6.46 in the left hemithorax and 6.50 in the right hemithorax. Thirty-day postoperative morbidity for the entire patient population was 24.5%, with 18.3% having minor complications and 3.6% having major complications. The overall mortality rate in the study population was 2.5%, with a statistically significant difference in mortality between uniportal and multiportal approaches (1.0% vs 6.4%, p=0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The uniportal approach demonstrated comparable accessibility and lymph node yield to the multiportal approach. There was also no difference in postoperative morbidity between the two approaches. The study suggests the possibility of lower mortality after uniportal lung resection compared with multiportal lung resection, but this conclusion should be interpreted with caution.
Subject(s)
Lung Neoplasms , Lymph Node Excision , Mediastinum , Pneumonectomy , Humans , Lymph Node Excision/methods , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Mediastinum/surgery , Pneumonectomy/methods , Male , Female , Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted , Middle Aged , Aged , Thoracoscopy/methods , Postoperative ComplicationsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of transposition of the omentum into the mediastinum to support the replacement of infected aortic grafts or to cover infected aortic grafts that are not amenable for surgical replacement. METHODS: All patients with thoracic aortic graft infections who underwent mediastinal transposition of the omentum at our institution between 2005 and 2023 were included in this study. Mediastinal transposition of the omentum was performed either after replacement of the infected graft ('curative concept') or solely as bailout procedure by wrapping the infected graft ('palliative concept'). The diagnosis, including computed tomography scans during follow-up, was made according to the criteria of the Management of Aortic Graft Infection Collaboration. RESULTS: The patient cohort consisted of 31 patients. Both in-hospital and 1-year mortality were 0% (n = 0) for the curative concept (n = 9) compared to 23% (n = 5) and 41% (n = 9) for the palliative concept (n = 22), respectively. There was no graft infection-associated death or recurrence of infection after 3 years in the curative group. Survival was 52% at 3 years in the palliative group, with freedom of infection in 59% of the patients (n = 13). CONCLUSIONS: Transposition of the omentum and wrapping of the infected aortic prosthetic graft is a useful bailout strategy for patients who are ineligible for replacement of an infected aortic graft. However, mortality stays high. For radical treatment of aortic graft infections, it may prove an effective supportive therapy and represents an important tool in the armamentarium of cardiac surgeons.
Subject(s)
Aorta, Thoracic , Aorta , Blood Vessel Prosthesis , Mediastinum , Omentum , Prosthesis-Related Infections , Humans , Omentum/transplantation , Omentum/surgery , Male , Female , Prosthesis-Related Infections/surgery , Aorta, Thoracic/surgery , Aorta, Thoracic/diagnostic imaging , Middle Aged , Aged , Blood Vessel Prosthesis/adverse effects , Retrospective Studies , Aorta/surgery , Mediastinum/surgery , Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/methods , Treatment Outcome , Adult , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Management of mediastinal anastomotic leaks (MALs) after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy includes conservative, endoscopic, or surgical management. Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVAC) is becoming a routine approach for MALs, although the outcomes have not been defined. This study aimed to describe the incidence, treatment, and outcomes of MALs in patients who underwent esophagectomy in 3 Italian high-volume centers that routinely use EVAC for MAL. METHODS: Patients who underwent Ivor Lewis esophagectomy between September 2018 and March 2023 were included. RESULTS: A total of 681 patients underwent Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, of whom 88 had MAL. The MAL rates for open, minimally invasive, and robotic esophagectomies were 11.5%, 13.4%, and 14.8%, respectively. Global and specific 30- and 90-day mortality rates for MAL were 0.9% and 2.1% and 6.8% and 15.9%, respectively. Nonoperative management (NOM) as the primary treatment was chosen for 62 patients. EVAC was the most common NOM (62.9%), and the most common operative management (OM) was anastomotic redo (53.8%). Diversion was the OM for 7 patients, of whom 3 patients died. Primary treatment proved successful in 40 patients. Among them, EVAC alone was successful in 35.9% of patients. Globally, endoscopic treatment, including EVAC, was successful in 79.0% of NOM and 55.7% of MALs. NOM and OM were chosen as secondary treatments for 27 and 10 patients, respectively. Secondary treatment proved successful in 21 patients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of MALs after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy is approximately 13%. Endoscopic techniques have a success rate of almost 80%, with EVAC representing a significant part of this treatment process.
Subject(s)
Anastomotic Leak , Esophagectomy , Mediastinum , Humans , Esophagectomy/adverse effects , Esophagectomy/methods , Anastomotic Leak/epidemiology , Anastomotic Leak/etiology , Anastomotic Leak/therapy , Male , Female , Incidence , Middle Aged , Aged , Mediastinum/surgery , Italy/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery , Reoperation/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The ectopic superior parathyroid in the tracheoesophageal groove and paraesophageal region is rare. Hyperparathyroidism results when these glands become hyperfunctioning. That may necessitate surgical intervention in the form of parathyroidectomy, which requires a transsternal or transthoracic approach due to a deeply seated mediastinal parathyroid gland. Minimally invasive strategies have emerged recently as an alternative approach with less morbidity. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of the paraesophageal ectopic parathyroid gland in the superior posterior mediastinum, which was successfully treated with thoracoscopic resection. CONCLUSION: The current imaging tools improve the thoracoscopic management of mediastinal parathyroid glands. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) can provide access and exposure to ectopic parathyroid adenoma with low morbidity and financial burden.
Subject(s)
Mediastinum , Parathyroid Neoplasms , Humans , Mediastinum/surgery , Parathyroid Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Parathyroid Neoplasms/surgery , Parathyroid Glands/surgery , Parathyroidectomy/methods , Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted/methodsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The gastric conduit is the most commonly used replacement organ for reconstruction after minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy. Although the optimal route of gastric conduit remains controversial, the posterior mediastinal route is physiologically preferable but is not without disadvantages. Here, we report the safety and efficacy of a method of gastric conduit reconstruction via the anterior of the pulmonary hilum route. METHODS: We have used the anterior of the pulmonary hilum route since 2021. This procedure involves pulling the gastric conduit up through a substernal tunnel between the right thoracic cavity and the abdominal cavity and passing it into the neck via the anterior of the pulmonary hilum route. In this retrospective study, we compared the clinical outcomes between 20 patients who underwent this procedure and 20 patients who underwent the posterior mediastinal route from 2021 to 2022. RESULTS: No mortality was reported in either group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in duration of surgery, blood loss, incidence of postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stay. As a result of the anterior of the pulmonary hilum route, the primary tumor bed and lymph node drainage area were effectively bypassed, which facilitates postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. The distance of the gastric conduit accompanying the airway was significantly shorter in the anterior of the pulmonary hilum route group. CONCLUSIONS: Our method is considered to be a safe and useful technique for the reconstruction of gastric conduit.
Subject(s)
Esophageal Neoplasms , Esophagectomy , Humans , Esophagectomy/methods , Retrospective Studies , Stomach/surgery , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Mediastinum/surgery , Esophageal Neoplasms/surgeryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is a disease caused by hypersecretion of one or more parathyroid glands, it can be associated with ectopic mediastinal parathyroid glands (MEPA) in 2% of cases. The use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for the surgical resection of these glands is a safe, cost-effective, and low morbidity option for patients with MEPA. We report a case series of patients with this disease managed with VATS, the first in Mexico and Latinamerica. METHODS: From 2008 to 2022, a retrospective study involving patients with MEPA and treated by VATS approach was performed in a tertiary hospital in Mexico city. Relevant biochemical and clinical variables such as imaging studies, pre and postoperative laboratory results, surgical strategy, outcomes and pathological analysis were analyzed. RESULTS: Four cases of mediastinal parathyroid adenomas causing HPT were included. All patients were female with a median age of 52.5 years-old (range 46-59 years), half of the patients had primary HPT and the others tertiary HPT after kidney transplant. 75% of cases had a MEPA in the medium mediastinum, all had a preoperative positive SPECT-CT 99mTc Sestamibi scan. Mean preoperative PTH was 621.3pg/mL (182-1382pg/mL). All patients successfully underwent parathyroidectomy with a VATS approach, no deaths were reported. CONCLUSIONS: VATS is a minimally invasive surgery that provides adequate access to mediastinal located glands, optimal visualization of mediastinal structures and has a high resection success rate with less complications and morbidity than open approaches.
Subject(s)
Parathyroid Neoplasms , Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Male , Parathyroid Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Parathyroid Neoplasms/surgery , Parathyroid Neoplasms/pathology , Mediastinum/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Parathyroid Glands/surgery , Parathyroid Glands/pathology , Parathyroidectomy/methods , Technetium Tc 99m SestamibiSubject(s)
Esophageal Neoplasms , Esophagectomy , Lymph Node Excision , Mediastinum , Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve , Thoracoscopy , Humans , Esophagectomy/methods , Lymph Node Excision/methods , Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve/surgery , Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Mediastinum/surgery , Thoracoscopy/methods , PrognosisABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To report technical feasibility and describe procedural details of a novel single incision minimally invasive approach to the mediastinum in cadaver dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaveric study. ANIMALS: Large breed (25-40 kg) cadaver dogs (n = 10). METHODS: Three of 10 cadavers were used for preliminary technique development without data recording. Cadaver specimens underwent pre- and postoperative thoracic computed tomographic scans. Seven dogs were placed in dorsal recumbency and mediastinoscopy was performed via a SILS port placed cranial to the thoracic inlet with CO2 insufflation of the mediastinum at 2-4 mmHg. Retrieval of all CT and visually identified mediastinal lymph nodes (LN) was attempted; endoscopic compartmental and individual LN dissection times and subjective operative challenges were recorded. Procedural success scores for visualization and dissection as well as NASA-task force index scores were recorded per lymph node, per cadaver. RESULTS: Median time required for initial approach including SILS placement was 5 min (range 5-10 min). Individual LN retrieval times ranged from 2 to 32 min. Mediastinoscopic retrieval of LNs was most commonly successful for the left tracheobronchial LN (7/7), followed by the right tracheobronchial LN (4/7), the left and right sternal LNs (3/7 each), and the cranial mediastinal LNs (1/7). Post-procedure pleural gas was identified on CT in 4/7 cadavers. CONCLUSIONS: Mediastinoscopy as reported was feasible in large breed canine cadavers and retrieval or cup biopsy of a variety of lymph nodes is possible from the described approach. Application in living animals and its associated challenges should be further investigated. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mediastinoscopy may provide a novel minimally invasive approach to the evaluation and oncologic staging of the cranial mediastinum in dogs.
Subject(s)
Cadaver , Lymph Node Excision , Mediastinoscopy , Mediastinum , Animals , Dogs , Mediastinoscopy/veterinary , Mediastinoscopy/methods , Lymph Node Excision/veterinary , Lymph Node Excision/methods , Mediastinum/surgery , Lymph Nodes/surgery , Lymph Nodes/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A right-sided aortic arch is a rare congenital vascular structure variation. Right lobectomy is not commonly performed on patients with such a condition. Further, there are no reports on lobectomy under uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in this patient group. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old man with a right-sided aortic arch and Kommerell diverticulum underwent right upper lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection under uniportal VATS for primary lung cancer. Due to the right descending aorta, which narrows the space of the dorsal hilum, handling of the stapler for stapling the right upper lobe bronchus from the uniport in the 6th intercostal space at the medial axillary line can be challenging. This issue was resolved by manipulating the staple over the azygos vein toward the inferior margin of the aortic arch. Via mediastinal lymphadenectomy, we found that the right recurrent laryngeal nerve branched from the right vagus nerve and hooked around the right-sided aortic arch. CONCLUSIONS: Right lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection under uniportal VATS can be performed for lung cancer in patients with a right-sided aortic arch.
Subject(s)
Lung Neoplasms , Male , Humans , Aged , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted , Aorta, Thoracic/abnormalities , Pneumonectomy , Mediastinum/surgery , Mediastinum/pathologyABSTRACT
Ectopic parathyroid tissue in the mediastinum represents a rare and potentially serious clinical entity with challenging diagnostic and surgical management. The main surgical approach for this issue is open thoracotomy, which is a safe technique but carries risks and complications associated with such as extensive surgery. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate robotic thoracic surgery as an alternative and potentially advantageous method to treat patients with ectopic parathyroid adenomas compared with open and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery approaches. A total of 13 reports in the literature were identified that provided details in terms of complications, surgical approach, and results of minimally invasive surgical resection of mediastinal ectopic parathyroid tissue.
Subject(s)
Parathyroid Neoplasms , Robotic Surgical Procedures , Robotics , Humans , Mediastinum/surgery , Parathyroid Glands/diagnostic imaging , Parathyroid Glands/surgery , Parathyroid Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Parathyroid Neoplasms/surgery , Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted/methodsABSTRACT
Tension pneumomediastinum is uncommon but it is a rapidly progress condition that can lead to cardiogenic shock. Mediastinal decompression is an emergency procedure and the knowledge of this technique is a life-saving treatment.
Subject(s)
Decompression, Surgical , Mediastinal Emphysema , Humans , Mediastinal Emphysema/surgery , Mediastinal Emphysema/etiology , Decompression, Surgical/methods , Mediastinum/surgery , Male , Shock, Cardiogenic/surgery , Shock, Cardiogenic/etiology , Point-of-Care Systems , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methodsSubject(s)
Coloring Agents , Esophageal Neoplasms , Indocyanine Green , Lymph Node Excision , Mediastinum , Humans , Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Esophageal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Lymph Node Excision/methods , Mediastinum/surgery , Mediastinum/diagnostic imaging , Esophagectomy/methods , Optical Imaging/methods , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Lymph Nodes/diagnostic imaging , Lymph Nodes/surgery , Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods , PrognosisABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The most effective treatment for early stage (I-II) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is surgical resection. However, the extent of mediastinal lymph nodes removal required and the impact of their removal remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the postoperative complications in patients with stage I-II NSCLC who received mediastinal lymph node dissection (MLND) or mediastinal lymph node sampling (MLNS). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: According to the predefined inclusion criteria, we will conduct a comprehensive search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies examining the postoperative complications of MLND compared to MLNS in patients with stage I-II NSCLC. The search will be performed across multiple databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang, Sinomed, VIP, Duxiu, and Web of Science from inception to February 2024. Additionally, relevant literature references will be retrieved and hand searching of pertinent journals will be conducted. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment will be performed by two independent reviewers. Review Manager 5.4 will be applied in analyzing and synthesizing. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) will be used to assess the quality of evidence for the whole RCTs and used Newcastle-Ottawa scale to assess the methodologic quality of observational studies. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study did not include personal information. Ethical approval was not required for this study. This study is based on a secondary analysis of the literature, so ethical review approval is not required. The final report will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will contribute to compare the safety and survival benefits of these two surgical techniques for the treatment of early stage NSCLC, to further guide the selection of surgical approaches. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol of the systematic review has been registered on Open Science Framework, with a registration number of DOI https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/N2Y5D.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Lung Neoplasms , Lymph Node Excision , Mediastinum , Meta-Analysis as Topic , Postoperative Complications , Systematic Reviews as Topic , Humans , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/surgery , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Lymph Node Excision/adverse effects , Lymph Node Excision/methods , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Mediastinum/pathology , Mediastinum/surgery , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Lymph Nodes/surgery , Neoplasm StagingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of using near-infrared fluorescent imaging (NIRF) imaging with indocyanine green as an intraoperative tool for achieving complete mediastinal lymph node (LN) resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between September 2019 and July 2021, patients with potential for esophagectomy due to middle and lower thoracic esophageal cancer were enrolled in this study. All patients were scheduled for NIRF-guided mediastinal lymphadenectomy during esophageal cancer surgery and were appropriately assigned to the NIRF group. Patients who underwent esophagectomy between September 2017 and September 2019 were assigned to the historical control group upon satisfying the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Surgical outcomes and the number of removed LNs were compared between the two groups using 1:1 propensity score matching. RESULTS: Of 67 eligible patients, 59 patients were included in the NIRF group after postsurgical exclusions. The operative time was significantly shorter in the NIRF group than in the historical control group [180 (140-420) min versus 202 (137-338) min; P < 0.001]. The incidence of postoperative chylothorax and hoarseness were significantly lower in the NIRF group than in the historical control group (0% versus 10.2 %; P = 0.036, 3.4% versus 13.6%; P = 0.047). The number of dissected total LNs, mediastinal LNs, and negative LNs was significantly larger in the NIRF group than in the historical control group. The number of overall metastatic LNs and abdominal LNs was comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: NIRF imaging can assist in the thorough and complete mediastinal LNs dissections without increasing complications in patients undergoing esophagectomy.