Controversies in the management of the pylorus among patients undergoing robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy

Abstract

Bilateral truncal vagotomies are intrinsic to nearly all esophagectomies, rendering patients susceptible to delayed gastric emptying. The question of whether, how, and when to perform pyloric drainage is essential and remains controversial in the era of robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy. While a variety of pyloric intervention techniques have been described, selective endoscopic pyloromyotomy for post-esophagectomy patients with durable signs of delayed gastric emptying is an attractive option, given its low morbidity rate, particularly its low incidence of dumping.

Keywords

Robotic-assisted surgery / esophagectomy / pyloromyotomy

References

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