Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of two surgical procedures used to treat middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and compare the results.
Methods: A total of 167 patients with middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were included in the study, including 102 patients who underwent Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy and another 65 who underwent dual-incision esophagectomy through the left chest and neck (Dual-incision). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate, and Cox regression analysis was performed to identify prognostic risk factors.
Results: Perioperative complications occurred in 35 patients (21%). The incidence rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and anastomotic leakage was higher in the Dual-incision group (p < 0.05), and the incidence rate of gastric retention was higher in the Ivor-Lewis group. However, there were no statistically significant differences. The 3-year local recurrence rate was 37.3% in the Ivor-Lewis group and 40% in the Dual-incision group (p > 0.05). The overall 5-year survival rate was 34.6%; the rates of the Ivor-Lewis group and the Dual-incision group were 36.0 and 32.3%, respectively (p > 0.05). The Cox analysis indicated that the pTNM staging was an independent prognostic risk factor (p = 0.00, hazard ratio = 2.69).
Conclusions: Both Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy and Dual-incision esophagectomy through the left chest and neck are options for treating middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. It is suggested that a patient's individual condition be taken into account when choosing the operative approach.