ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY OF THE ESOPHAGUS

Conventional surgical access to the oesophagus often requires a thorac otomy. The application of techniques borrowed from laparoscopic surger y allows transthoracic dissection of oesophagus without thoracotomy. T hese techniques are useful in treatment of oesophageal leiomyomas, mot ility disorders and iatrogenic perforations. Oesophageal resection for cancer can be accomplished using minimal access, either thoracoscopic ally or with the aid of an operating mediastinoscope. Whether these te chniques should replace transthoracic or transhiatal oesophagectomy fo r most patients with cancer remains to be seen.