Robotic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy shows major advantages for patients with esophageal cancer.

• Lower rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (87% reduction), reoperation (40% reduction), anastomotic leak (53% reduction), and respiratory complications (47% reduction).
• Gains in lymph node retrieval (8.3 nodes more) vs. transhiatal, despite longer operative time and more pulmonary complications.

This data supports selecting the Ivor Lewis approach for its blend of safety and effectiveness in surgical management of esophageal cancer.