The patient was positioned supine. A 5-cm cervical incision was made along the anterior border of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle as the main surgical route. The skin and subcutaneous tissues were carefully incised in layers. The left recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) was identified and traced, followed by mobilization of the cervical esophagus. A lap protector was inserted into the left incision to create a closed cavity, and the mediastinum was insufflated with carbon dioxide at 8 mmHg. Three 5-mm trocars were used for the specialized retractor, LigaSure Maryland jaw sealer, and mediastinoscope. Then, the esophagus was dissected up to the level of the carina or the inferior pulmonary vein. During this process, mediastinal lymph nodes were also removed, including bilateral RLN, paraesophageal, tracheobronchial, and subcarinal nodes. If necessary, the incision was then extended to the right neck to facilitate the dissection of the right cervical lymph nodes.

traditional video-assisted McKeown esophagectomy

Disease-Free Survival, Overall Survival

follow the guidelines of the Esophageal Complications Consensus Group (ECCG) recommendations and Clavien-Dindo classification