Robotic-assisted Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy

Esophagectomy is the core treatment modality for operable esophageal cancer. For middle and lower third esophageal carcinoma, Ivor Lewis two stage esophagectomy is increasingly performed worldwide. In recent years, minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has been widely applied, which has the superiority over open esophagectomy in terms of postoperative morbidity and mortality. The robotic surgical system provides a three-dimensional, high definition view, and improved stability and flexibility for operation, which unveiled a new era of MIE. Robot-assisted Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy (RAILE) has been suggested as a safe and feasible procedure for the treatment of operable middle and distal esophageal cancer. This review focuses on the perioperative and oncological outcomes of RAILE based on available evidence.