Minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy

Ivor Lewis esophagectomy consists of a laparotomy and right thoracotomy for resection of the intrathoracic esophagus. Recent advances in minimally inv asive surgical technology have allowed surgeons to apply laparoscopy and th oracoscopy to perform esophagectomy. However, there have been few reports t hat describe a totally minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. We pres ent a case of combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic resection of the dist al third esophagus with an intrathoracic esophagogastric reconstruction for esophageal carcinoma. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.