Postoperative complications and management of minimally invasive esophagectomy

Postoperative complications of esophageal cancer are important factors that affect the prognosis of esophageal cancer. With the development of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), the incidence of postoperative complications has decreased significantly. In this article, we introduce the main postoperative complications and the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of complication. Anastomotic leakage is one of the most serious surgical complications, which always has been a problem for esophageal surgeons. With the development of minimally invasive techniques, mechanical staplers, and the application of enteral and parenteral nutritional support, the incidence of anastomotic leakage is reduced. Due to more thorough lymph node dissection, the recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was not significantly reduced. But most of them were temporary and clinical symptoms caused by recurrent laryngeal nerve injury can be improved soon after surgery. In this period, the incidence of chylothorax, gastrointestinal tracheal and bronchial fistula is low. On the contrary, the incidence of pulmonary complications and gastrointestinal reflux is still high.