Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with colonic interposition.

Minimally invasive esophagectomy is a feasible and safe alternative to open esophagectomy. The stomach is the preferred conduit for gastrointestinal reconstruction after esophagogastrectomy; however, if the stomach is not usable, the colon can be interposed as an alternative conduit. We describe the technique of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy in a patient with a gastric cardia cancer involving the gastric body and distal esophagus. Laparoscopic colonic interposition using the right colon based on the middle colic vessels was used to restore gastrointestinal continuity.