Transthoracic esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus: standard versus extended two-field mediastinal lymphadenectomy?

Abstract

These results indicate that extended 2-field lymphadenectomy is an important component of the surgical treatment of patients with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. It increases the likelihood of proper staging and affects patient outcome, while it does not enhance the operative mortality. However, extended lymphadenectomy increases non-fatal morbidity, especially the incidence of pulmonary complications and the need for blood transfusion.