Robotic-assisted esophagectomy improves R0-resection in esophageal cancer patients

A single-center experience found that robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy with total mesoesophageal excision led to a significantly higher R0-resection rate compared to open transthoracic esophagectomy. This approach also reduced postoperative pneumonia rates, shortened ICU and hospital stays, with comparable mortality rates. The study suggests that combining robotic assistance with a structured dissection method may result in better short-term clinical and oncologic outcomes, potentially improving long-term survival and overall postoperative recovery in esophageal cancer patients.