Your Esophagectomy Surgery
Your Thoracic Surgeon has scheduled you for an esophagectomy. This page offers information to help you prepare for esophagectomy surgery. It is important you and your family member/care partner review the information on this page.
You need to have an esophagectomy because of the cancerous area in your esophagus. You and your surgeon will discuss what type of esophagectomy is right for you. A pathologist tests any of your tissue removed during surgery. A pathologist is a specialized doctor who examines body tissues and fluids for changes caused by diseases such as cancer.
What is an Esophagectomy?
An esophagectomy is the removal of part of your esophagus, lymph nodes and surrounding tissue. The surgeon rebuilds your esophagus using part of your stomach or bowel (intestine). Pictures showing your esophagus and stomach before (picture A) and after surgery (picture B).
A
Before
B
After
Types of Esophagectomy Surgery
1
Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) or robotic assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy
The cancerous area in your esophagus is removed using a scope and small incisions (cuts) on your chest, back and abdomen. These incisions are about 1 ½ inches (3.8 cm) long. The thoracic surgeon may need to make larger incisions to remove the cancerous area during surgery. You will be in the operating room for about 5 to 6 hours.
The surgeon may choose robotic assisted surgery if it is the right option for you. This surgery is less invasive than other types of surgery. This means you may have smaller incisions and a faster recovery time after surgery. The robotic system includes a camera arm and mechanical arms with surgical instruments attached. The surgeon controls the mechanical arms while seated at a computer near the operating table. The robotic-assisted scope is inserted through a small incision
2
Transthoracic Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy
The cancerous area in your esophagus is removed through 1 or more large incisions made on your abdomen and back. The incision in your abdomen is about 3 to 5 inches (7.7 to 12.7 cm) and your back incision is about 5 to 7 inches (12.7 to 17.8 cm). You will be in in the operating room for about 5 to 6 hours.