Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title>
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<jats:title>Description</jats:title>
<jats:p>Minimally invasive esophagectomy has the potential to reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications and postoperative pain. This video shows two safe and reproducible technical variants for thoracoscopic stapled anastomosis. The patient is placed in a left semi-prone position after induction of anesthesia with a single lumen orotracheal tube. Triportal access and low-pressure pneumothorax (8 mmHg) are used for the procedure. Once circumferential mobilization of the esophagus is completed, intraoperative ultrasonography is performed to identify a previously placed endoscopic metal clip marking the upper tumor level. The esophagus is safely transected above this level. An end-to-side intra-corporeal esophagogastric anastomosis is performed. Technique A. The esophagus is stapled with a 60 mm cartridge (EndoGIA™ Tri-Staple™ purple). The anvil of a 25 mm circular stapler (OrVil™) is inserted transorally and retrieved through a small hole in the esophageal stump. Technique B. The 25 mm anvil is inserted through a transverse esophagotomy with a 7 cm long 2–0 polypropylene suture attached to the sharp tip. The suture is passed from inside to outside of the esophageal lumen. The esophagus is then divided distal to the anvil with an linear stapler. At this point, the anvil is pulled out with a gentle traction close to the stapled line. In both techniques, the circular stapler is introduced into the chest cavity through a mini-thoracotomy at the level of lowermost trocar and a wound retractor (Alexis™) is used. The head of the circular stapler, sealed with a surgical glove cutted at the middle finger, is then introduced into the gastric tube through a small gastrotomy on the lesser curvature. The tip of the gastric tube is perforated close to the greater curvature and engage the esophageal anvil. After checking the doughnut, transection of the remnant gastric tube is completed with a linear stapler and the specimen is retrieved through the mini-thoracotomy.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Disclosure</jats:title>
<jats:p>All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.</jats:p>
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