Response in circulating immunoreactive cells after thoracoscopic esophagectomy

The benefit of thoracoscopic esophagectomy in reducing surgical invasivenes s was evaluated by response in circulating immunoreactive cells. Sixty-thre e patients with thoracic esophageal cancer, who had radical esophagectomy w ere subjected. In 40 patients (T Group), it was performed thoracoscopically and through conventional right thoracotomy in the other 23 (C Group). Ther e was no difference in the duration of operation, amount of blood loss and the number of dissected nodes. The duration of intrathoracic procedure was significantly longer in T Group, but it was shortened with experience. Ther e was no difference in the changes of leucocyte count or subpopulation of l ymphocyte between two groups. The same postoperative care as conventional e sophagectomy is necessary even after thoracoscopic procedure, when the same quality of lymph node dissection was performed.