Minimally invasive concepts of oesophageal surgery thoracoscopic anastomosis. An experimental study in animals

Based on animal trials the presented study describes two versions of thorac oscopic oesophageal anastomosis within the scope of abdomino-thoracoscopic oesophagectomy. This experimental approach is considered to provide a solut ion for the oncological problem to salvage the tumorbearing oesophagus. We describe the procedure of intrathoracic stapler anastomosis under thoracosc opic vision. By using a laparoscopic purse string suture clamp we were enab led to prepare the proximal oesophageal stump for anastomosis. A circular s tapling instrument turned out to be very suitable for the thoracoscopic use . The final evaluation of the importance of minimally invasive surgery for the resection of oesophageal carcinomas should not be given until multicent er studies are performed.