The esophagus is an important part of the digestive process, but when complications such as esophageal cancer, complicated acid reflux, or motility issues develop, esophagectomy, partial or complete removal of the esophagus might increase the patient’s lifespan.
A traditional esophagectomy was the only option to treat esophagus related ailments. However, with advancement in technologies, options such as minimally-invasive surgeries and robot-assisted surgeries have led to reduced incisions, shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery. Here’s how these advancements in esophagectomy have become the new normal.
What is an Esophagectomy and Why Is It Performed?
An esophagectomy is a surgical procedure for the removal of a portion or the entire esophagus, typically necessary for conditions such as:
Esophageal cancer such as adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia that can progress to cancer.
End-stage achalasia where the esophagus loses the ability to push food into the stomach.
Severe Acid Reflux Damage (GERD) that may lead to severe scarring or narrowing of the esophagus if left untreated for longer periods.
Esophageal trauma where the esophagus has been damaged extensively due to injury or disease.
Esophagectomy aims to not only remove the affected or damaged tissue, but it also also focuses on rebuilding the digestive tract, helping the patients to swallow and digest food normally.
Traditional vs. Modern Esophagectomy: What Has Changed?
The traditional open esophagectomy (The Older Method) consisted of:
Bigger incisions in the chest, abdomen, or neck.
Rib spreading, leading to increased pain.
Extensive hospital stay of about 10–14 days.
Recovery time of up to 3–6 months, accompanied by possible breathing problems.
While it is effective, traditional esophagectomy is invasive in nature and comes with serious risks, particularly for older patients or those with existing health issues.
Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE) (The Newer Approach) consists of:
Smaller incisions for minimal trauma.
Reduced pain, fewer complications, and quicker recovery.
Hospitalisaiton of 7–10 days.
Healing time which lasts between 4–8 weeks.
MIE is quite an advance compared to open surgery, but robotic-assisted esophagectomy is one step ahead.
Robotic-Assisted Esophagectomy (The Future of Surgery) is more advanced due to:
Utilisation of a highly advanced robotic system, operated by a surgeon.
Unparalleled precision, with a reduced risk to the surrounding organs.
5–7 days hospitalisation.
Recovery time of only 3–5 weeks.
Such benefits make robotic esophagectomy effective and one of the preferred surgical approaches to treat esophagectomy.
Why Robotic-Assisted Esophagectomy is a Game-Changer
Robot-assisted esophagectomy is changing how esophagectomy is performed because:
It has smaller incisions, which means less trauma. This eliminates the requirement of extensive chest and abdominal incisions. Robotic surgery also reduces pain and the risk of infection.
Better accuracy coupled with less complications:
Due to its proximity to large blood vessels, the lungs, and the heart, precision is required to reduce the damage that might be caused to them. With the 3D visualisation offered in robotic surgery, the degree of damage is reduced.
Quicker recovery and reduced hospital stay:
Open surgery translates to weeks in the hospital and months of recovery. This is revolutionised with robotic-assisted esophagectomy, allowing patients to heal at home in a week and resume normal activities sooner.
Fewer post-operative complications:
Patients undergoing open esophagectomy tend to experience excruciating pain, breathing problems, and infections. Robotic methods reduce complications, enhance healing, and decrease the risk of life-threatening side effects.
For those requiring esophagectomy but are stressed about the risks associated with an open surgery can take a sigh of relief due to these benefits associated with the robotic surgery..
What Occurs During Robotic-Assisted Esophagectomy?
The following is what to anticipate prior to, during, and after robotic esophagectomy:
Prior to Surgery
A health scan, endoscopy, and medical examination are done to determine the patient’s eligibility.
Patients may be required to follow a liquid diet and avoid food for 12 hours before surgery.
During Surgery
Patient is administered general anaesthesia.
Small incisions are made in the chest, belly, and neck.
The robotic system assists in the removal of the diseased esophagus while repairing the digestive tract.
The stomach or section of the intestine is reshaped to create a new esophagus.
After Surgery
Patients are kept under observation for 5–7 days.
A liquid diet is administered for the first several weeks.
3-5 weeks of time is given for the recovery and resumption of swallowing mechanisms.
Most patients achieve a significant reduction of major symptoms and substantial gains in quality of life.
Life After Esophagectomy: What to Expect
Although esophagectomy is a type of surgery, patients may enjoy a healthy, normal life afterward. This is how:
Patients must chew and swallow foods thoroughly
Propping the head up higher and eating a low-acid food diet might help avoid acid reflux.
Regular follow-up should be done to keep track of healing.
The New Age of Esophageal Surgery
Esophagectomy was once a risky procedure with prolonged recovery periods. But with the latest in robotic-assisted surgery, patients now have access to safer, less painful, and more successful treatment.
At Thangam Robotic Institute (TRI) in Tamil Nadu, robotic-assisted esophagectomy is their niche, providing world-class technology with improved surgical success. If the patient or their loved one needs to undergo esophageal surgery, a visit to TRI and its doctors is enough to discuss and determine the ideal solution for them.