What is a Laparoscopic Esophagectomy?
A Laparoscopic Esophagectomy is done in patients who are being treated for cancer of the esophagus or other non-cancerous conditions that render the esophagus non-functional. The surgery is done through the abdomen and the neck. Five small incisions 10 mm a piece are placed on the abdominal wall and small incision is placed in the left neck. A small camera is placed through one of the incisions and surgical instruments are placed through the other four. The stomach and esophagus are mobilized and the stomach is cut into the shape of a tube using surgical staples. The esophagus and cut portion of the stomach are pulled out through the neck incision and removed. The newly shaped stomach is brought up through the chest, sewn to the small piece of the esophagus that is left behind in the neck. The stomach will now function as the esophagus used to.

Will I need to have anesthesia?
Yes.

How long will it last?
The surgery takes about 4-6 hours.

Will anything be removed, replaced, etc?
Yes, the esophagus is removed and replaced with the stomach.

Where will the incision(s) be made?
Five small incisions, less than 10 mm in diameter will be made on the abdominal wall and a small incision will be made in the left neck.

Will any devices/sutures/staples be implanted and will they need to be removed?
Permanent sutures will be used to sew the esophagus to the stomach and surgical staples will be used to fashion the stomach into a tube.

Will I have any tubes or drains after surgery?
Yes, you will have a small tube coming out of your nose that drains the fluid in your stomach. It will be removed 5 days after surgery. A small drain will be in your neck and will be removed 2 weeks after surgery in the doctor’s office. You will have a small feeding tube in your stomach that you will go home with and use it to supplement your feeding and medications. It will be removed approximately 2 months after surgery once you are eating well and gaining weight.

How long is the stay in the hospital?
You will need to stay in the hospital for 5-10 days. You may spend 1 night in the intensive care unit depending on how well you recover.

How long before I will be eating solid foods?
For the first week after surgery you will be drinking liquids only. In the second week you will start to eat soft foods. By 2 months you can eat a normal diet.

How long before I am back to my normal levels of exercise?
It is recommended that you refrain from strenuous activities and heavy lifting for about 2 months. You may return to work after 4 weeks if your work does not require heavy lifting or strenuous activities.

When will I be back to my normal routine?
Usually by 2 months you can return to your normal routine.

What follow up is necessary?
A follow up visit 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery is necessary. Further follow up is at the discretion of your surgeon.

How will this affect my life in the long-term?
After some time your life will return to normal. You will always notice a change in your bowel habits including looser stools and more frequent meals. You may notice that some foods are more difficult to eat than others. Your doctor will advise you as to what foods to avoid.