Research progress of inferior mediastinal lymphadenectomy in surgery for Siewert type Ⅱ and m adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction / 中华消化外科杂志

ABSTRACT

In recent years,the incidence of gastric cancer has shown a decreasing trend.However,the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) is gradually increasing.Different from esophageal cancer and gastric cancer,AEG has distinct pathological types,with low early diagnostic rate and poor prognosis.At present,the main therapeutic measure is surgery for advanced Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG.The key to a successful operation is complete resection of tumor and thorough lymphadenectomy,especially the upper abdominal and inferior mediastinal lymph nodes (No.110 the lower thoracic paraesophageal lymph nodes and No.111 the supradiaphragmatic lymph nodes).For the advanced Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG invading lower thoracic esophagus,it is required to perform gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy,which includes upper abdominal and inferior mediastinal lymphadenectomy.There has been reached a consensus on complete resection of tumor and thorough lymphadenectomy.However,there is still controversy in the inferior mediastinal lymphadenectomy,particularly lower thoracic paraesophageal lymph nodes and supradiaphragmatic lymph nodes.Since specific lymphatic drainage of the esophagogastric junction,it is necessary to dissect inferior mediastinal lymph nodes.The metastatic rate of the inferior mediastinal lymph nodes determines the extent of inferior mediastinal lymphadenectomy.D2 lymphadenectomy (including inferior mediastinal lymphadenectomy) could achieve more thorough clearance for perigastric metastatic lymph nodes.Meanwhile,it could increase the survival rate of postoperative patients and improve their prognosis.