The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Robot-assisted minimally invasive thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy versus open transthoracic esophagectomy for resectable esophageal cancer. A randomized controlled trial. Ann Surg 2019; 269: 621-630.

Published: 18th July 2019

Authors: van der Sluis PC, van der Horst S, May AM, Schippers C, Brosens L, Joore HC et al.

Conclusion

A total of 112 patients were randomized. Robotic surgery was associated with fewer overall complications (risk ratio 0.74, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.57 to 0.96; P=0.02), less blood loss (400 versus 568ml, P<0.001), less postoperative pain and improved quality of life. Short term oncological outcomes were comparable.

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