Robot-assisted Surgery for Esophageal Cancer: Analysis of Short- and Long-term Outcomes

Robot-assisted Surgery for Esophageal Cancer: Analysis of Short- and Long-term Outcomes

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Robot-assisted Surgery for
Esophageal Cancer: Analysis of
Short- and Long-term Outcomes

Prepared by:
Evidence Synthesis Program (ESP) Center
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
Paul G. Shekelle, MD, PhD, Director

Recommended citation:
Mederos MA, de Virgilio MJ, Girgis MD, Toste P, Childers CP, Ye L, Shenoy R, Mak SS, Begashaw M, Booth MS, Maggard-Gibbons M, Shekelle PG, Robot-Assisted Surgery for Esophageal Cancer: Analysis of Short and Long-Term Outcomes. Los Angeles: Evidence Synthesis Program, Health Services Research and Development Service, Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs. VA ESP Project #05-226; 2020.

Download PDF: Complete Report, Executive Summary, Report, Appendices

Robot-assisted Surgery for Esophageal Cancer Data Companion

This report, through analysis of VHA administrative and registry data, augments the findings from the 2020 ESP systematic review of the published literature on robot-assisted minimally-invasive esophagectomy compared to other surgical approaches.

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Takeaway

Systematic review of the literature comparing robot-assisted minimally-invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) to other video-assisted minimally-invasive esophagectomy (VAMIE) and open esophagectomy (OE) for cancer revealed that no strong conclusions can be made about the appropriateness of RAMIE compared to other techniques. Additional randomized data or well-designed prospective matched studies with sufficient follow up time are needed to understand the utility of the robotic platform for esophagectomy for cancer.

Context

Esophageal cancer is the 7th most common cancer diagnosis globally each year, and esophagectomy is an important component of esophageal cancer treatment. In 2016, over 1,800 robot-assisted esophagectomies were performed worldwide, a 9-fold increase from 2009. The purpose of this systematic review is to help clinicians, patients, and policymakers better assess the appropriateness of RAMIE versus VAMIE and open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Key Findings

Overall, studies were heterogeneous regarding patient/tumor factors and surgical approaches. Therefore, strong conclusions cannot be made. In general, RAMIE is associated with longer OR times compared with VAMIE and OE. Lymph node harvest may be greater with RAMIE. There were no differences in blood loss between RAMIE and VAMIE. Conversely, blood loss was higher for OE compared to RAMIE. Short-term outcomes are mostly similar between RAMIE and VAMIE. Total and pulmonary complications may be fewer with RAMIE compared to OE. RAMIE may have a shorter length of stay compared to OE based on an analysis of U.S. studies only. There is a paucity of studies reporting long-term outcomes. Cancer recurrence is similar between RAMIE, VAMIE, and OE. However, cancer-free survival may be longer with RAMIE compared to VAMIE based on 1 RCT. Conclusions regarding cost could not be determined due to sparse data.

VA Health Systems Research