From Our 2012 Archives Less-Invasive Surgery for Esophageal
Cancer Might Be Safer Latest Cancer News MONDAY, April 30
(HealthDay News) -- Besides being easier on the patient,
minimally invasive surgery to remove the esophagus of patients
with esophageal cancer can also greatly reduce the risk of lung
infection compared to traditional open surgery, a new study
finds. Dutch researchers also found that patients who undergo
this less-invasive procedure have much shorter hospital stays
and a better short-term quality of life than those who have open
surgery, which requires cutting through a patient's chest. One
U.S. expert was impressed with the findings. The study "goes a
long way to encouraging esophageal surgeons to seriously
consider minimally invasive surgery for their patients with
surgically resectable [removable] esophageal cancers," said Dr.
Jonathan Aviv, clinical director of the Voice and Swallowing
Center at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Removal
of part of or the entire esophagus (a proc