Primary Surgeon Specialty Does Not Impact Postoperative Complications in Esophagectomy

Cardiothoracic surgeons and general surgeons perform the majority of esophagectomies, but differences in surgical techniques exist. This study analyzed data from 3,247 patients and found that cardiothoracic surgeons were more likely to use traditional minimally invasive or open approaches, while general surgeons favored robotic or hybrid approaches. However, after adjusting for risk factors, there were no significant differences in postoperative complications between the two specialties. The study suggests that esophagectomy can be performed safely by surgeons with different specialties and training pathways.