[Transhiatal or transthoracic resection of esophageal carcinoma based on tumor location, positive high-thoracic lymph nodes and preoperative physical condition].

The limited transhiatal resection for the surgical treatment of oesophageal cancer is aimed at limiting early postoperative complications by not performing lateral thoracotomy and formal lymphadenectomy. The extended transthoracic approach with two-field lymphnode dissection is intended to improve long-term survival. The recurrence pattern after transhiatal resection suggests that a subgroup of patients might benefit from the more extended approach. In a large randomized trial in two high-volume Dutch academic hospitals, extended resection resulted in more postoperative (pulmonary) complications and a prolonged postoperative recovery time, but when compared to transhiatal resection, had only a limited impact on quality of life. The estimated 5-year survival advantage after extended resection was 10% (95% confidence interval: -3% to +23%). Subgroup analysis indicated a 17% 5-year survival advantage for patients with oesophageal cancer, but only a 1% advantage for patients with cancer of the cardia or gastro-oesophageal junction. The individualized operative approach for patients with potentially curable oesophageal cancer is based on tumour location, positive high-thoracic lymph nodes and preoperative physical condition.