Hybrid Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy Does Not Compromise Long-Term Survival

There is increased interest in minimally invasive surgery for gastrointestinal cancers given the potential for reduced operative morbidity and shorter hospital stay. Long-term outcome data are required to ensure that efficacy is not compromised by newer operative approaches.

Investigators report 5-year follow-up from the MIRO trial, a multicenter open-label phase 3 trial comparing hybrid minimally invasive esophagectomy (laparoscopic gastric mobilization plus open thoracotomy) to open esophagectomy. The investigators previously reported that the primary endpoint — the rate of major intraoperative or postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery — favored the minimally invasive arm (NEJM JW Oncol Hematol Mar 2019 and N Engl J Med 2019…