Type 2 diabetes significantly worsens outcomes after minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

• Patients with diabetes had longer surgeries (225 min vs. 215 min) and more blood loss (100 mL vs. 60 mL).
• Higher complication rates were observed: 57% in the diabetes group compared to 39% in non-diabetics.

Survival rates were also negatively impacted, making diabetes a critical factor in surgical planning.

• Patients on metformin-free therapy had worse prognoses when glycemic control was poor.