Practical Surgical Techniques for Lymphadenectomy Along the Right Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve During Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy in the Prone Position

Abstract

Background

In esophageal squamous cell cancer (SCC), lymphadenectomy along the right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is important for disease control. The metastatic rate was 33% and the 5-year overall survival rate of these patients was 33.3%,1 but the risk of RLN palsy increases.2 We reported a reliable new method ('Pincers Maneuver')3 for lymphadenectomy along the right RLN during thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position (TEP), and hereby present our video, aimed at providing a complete and safe dissection.

Method

The 'Pincers Maneuver' is performed for all resectable clinical stage IA–III lower, middle, or upper thoracic esophageal SCCs. Patients above clinical stage IB were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The concept of this procedure is to first exfoliate the two-dimensional membrane (lateral pedicle), which includes the right RLN, lymph nodes, and the primary esophageal artery, from the right side of the trachea toward the neck. Improved mobility of the lateral pedicle, gained by closing in from its inner and outer sides, enables easy lymphadenectomy along the right RLN toward the right inferior thyroid artery.

Results

Using this method, we performed 31 TEPs in 2016 at Kobe University Hospital. Median body mass index was 23 kg/m² (range 18–31). No right RLN palsy greater than Clavien–Dindo classification grade I was observed. On average, 5.2 ± 2.7 nodes were harvested along the right RLN, with a 23% metastatic rate.

Conclusions

Our method for lymphadenectomy along the right RLN during TEP is safe and practical. It provides sufficient lymph node dissection, and no right RLN palsy has been observed.

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