489. EVALUATION OF THE ONCOLOGICAL QUALITY OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE TRANSCERVICAL OESOPHAGECTOMY (MICE) USING A CADAVERIC MODEL

Abstract Background Nodal involvement is a well-known factor of poor prognosis for esophageal cancer, but the extent of the lymph node dissection, or the number of the dissected lymph nodes, remains controversial questions. Western guidelines (ESMO and NCCN) suggest accomplishing esophagectomy with en-bloc two-field lymphadenectomy. Minimally Invasive transCervical oEsophagectomy (MICE) is a novel technique for the minimally invasive treatment of esophageal cancer. In the literature, the radicality of this procedure still remains unknown, as evidenced by studies conducted in Eastern countries. This descriptive study explores feasibility of MICE in Western countries using a cadaveric model. Methods A cadaver study was conducted in a real operating room setting, with bilateral lung ventilation induced to replicate a real-life situation. Mediastinal dissection was carried out via single port left transcervical mediastinoscopy. Subsequently, a right thoracoscopy in prone position was performed to access the clearance of the fatty tissue at the anatomical boundaries of the lymph node stations. The finalization of the dissection of the lower mediastinum via transhiatal approach was not performed because it was not in the aim of the study. The extent and the radicality of the dissection were evaluated by an independent external expert. Results Results indicated effectiveness of MICE in dissecting lymph nodes around the lower and middle esophagus, as well as at the subcarinal station. At the upper esophagus level, harvesting was complete on the left side but some residual tissue was found on the right-side at the right recurrent laryngeal nerve and on the right pleura, this result was attributed to technical difficulty. Conclusion The findings suggest that MICE is adequate in accomplish a complete dissection of lymph nodes around the mediastinal esophagus, including a complete subcarinal dissection, adhering to Western lymphadenectomy standards. Further descriptive study on cadaver will help to understand if a more extensive lymphadenectomy is achievable.