Introduction: Robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) is a recently developed technique for the treatment of resectable esophageal cancer. The present study compares the outcomes of RAMIE and video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy (VATE). Method: Patients undergoing minimally invasive esophageal surgery between December 2020 and September 2022 were included in the study, while those undergoing conventional surgery were excluded. The patients were divided into two groups, as those undergoing RAMIE (Group 1) and those undergoing VATE (Group 2). The demographic and clinical characteristics, intraoperative parameters, pathological data, and postoperative parameters of the groups were compared. Results: A total of 28 patients were included in the study, with 13 patients in Group 1 and 15 patients in Group 2. The gender distribution was similar ( P = 0.488), and the mean age was 64.7 and 59.0 years in Groups 1 and 2, respectively ( P = 0.068). The majority of the sample was in the ASA2 category (46.2% vs. 66.7%, P = 0.341); Ca19.9 levels were higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (25.7 vs. 13.7, P = 0.027); preoperative Hb was lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (10.9 g/dL vs. 12.2 g/dL, P = 0.043); the most commonly performed surgery was the McKeown procedure (69.2% vs. 66.7%, P = 0.492); an intraoperative feeding jejunostomy was placed only in Group 2; the operation time was similar between the groups (338.5 min vs. 340 min, P = 0.916); and the distribution of tumor localizations was similar between the groups ( P = 0.407). In terms of tumor histology, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common tumor type in the two groups (84.6% vs. 80%, P = 0.636); the tumor diameter was similar between the groups (14.9 vs. 18.1, P = 0.652); the number of removed lymph nodes was similar between the groups (24.9 vs. 22.5, P = 0.419); and the number of metastatic lymph nodes was higher in Group 2 (0.08 vs. 1.07, P = 0.27). One patient in Group 2 underwent repeat surgery due to suspected ischemic anastomosis; the distribution of postoperative complications according to the Clavien–Dindo classification system was similar in the two groups ( P = 0.650); there was no early mortality within the first 30 days in either group; one patient in Group 2 was re-admitted within 90 days of discharge with decreased oral intake; the length of hospital stay was shorter in Group 1 (9 days vs. 16.5 days, P = 0.006); and the patients in Group 2 more often received neoadjuvant therapy in proportion to the disease stage (15.4% vs. 60%, P = 0.016). Conclusion: Robotic procedures can be safely performed in esophageal cancers with complication rates and oncological radicality similar to those of other minimally invasive techniques.
OBJECTIVE: Robotic surgery has been gaining attention because of the physical and metabolic morbidity of the conventional open technique. The systemic immune-inflammation index has emerged as a recent and more reliable biomarker. In our single-center retrospective cohort study, we investigate systemic immune-inflammation index in robotic gastrectomy in order to show the advantageous effect on the immune system, which we think is the first study in the literature.
Introduction: Brescia-Cimino radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) remains the first-choice vascular access procedure for patients in need of long-term hemodialysis. The average life expectancy of patients receiving hemodialysis has increased in recent years and many patients now live longer and require secondary or tertiary procedures. Elbow fistulas should only rarely be constructed as primary fistulas. The aim of the surgeon must be not only to achieve a functioning fistula, but to avoid possible complications other than failure to mature (FTM), like distal ischemia and cardiac failure and to save the vessels as much as possible for future procedures Background: Both arterial and venous anatomy of the elbow and upper arm have significant variations. The surgeon must be aware of these variations during the operation, and try not to harm the vasculature of the extremity while trying to construct a functioning fistula. The main advantages of elbow fistulas are the opportunity to have multiple outflows, preservation of the major veins in their original place with no dissection and giving no harm to them, and having a longer outflow tract for cannulation. Conclusions: In the elbow, beginning to construct an AVF with the perforating vein is the most advantageous. If the perforating vein is not available or has been used before, median cubital vein, its branches, median antecubital vein or other available nearby veins may be used depending on the anatomy. Perforating vein should be ligated if any other elbow vein is used to prevent flow to deep veins.
Background: In locally advanced squamous cell esophageal cancer, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard of care, as it especially improves local control and overall survival compared to radiotherapy alone. In contrast, treatment strategies for esophageal adenocarcinoma often parallel those used in gastric cancer, particularly regarding systemic therapy. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological factors affecting event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) following trimodality treatment in patients with non-metastatic esophageal cancer. Methods: A total of 155 patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer between March 2019 and November 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. Response to concurrent chemoradiotherapy was assessed via thoracic magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic biopsy. Results: Clinicopathological analysis showed that male sex, the presence of lymphovascular invasion, adenocarcinoma histology, poor pathological response and advanced-stage tumors were significantly associated with worse EFS (all p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, stage IVa disease was identified as an independent predictor of both mortality and relapse, with an approximately five-fold increased risk of death (p = 0.028) and relapse (p = 0.019). Patients with squamous cell carcinoma had a longer median EFS compared to those with adenocarcinoma (18 vs. 8.4 months, respectively). The 3- and 5-year OS rates were 59.2% and 56% in patients with squamous cell carcinoma, compared with 40% and 26% in those with adenocarcinoma, respectively. Conclusions: Survival outcomes were more favorable in patients with squamous cell histology and those diagnosed at an early stage. Active surveillance may be considered in selected patients with a complete clinical response to avoid the perioperative mortality associated with surgery.