Clinical Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Esophageal Surgery for Older Esophageal Cancer Patients: A Propensity Score-matched Study.

This article investigates the feasibility and safety of thoracoscopic esophagectomy, a minimally invasive esophageal cancer surgery, in older patients aged 75 years and above. A retrospective study of 132 patients compared surgical outcomes, postoperative complications, nutritional status, and overall survival (OS) between older and non-older (<75 years) groups, using propensity score matching to control for clinical factors. Results showed no significant differences in postoperative complications or nutritional decline six months after surgery between the groups, and while OS was initially poorer in older patients, matched analysis revealed comparable long-term survival outcomes. The study concludes that thoracoscopic esophagectomy is a viable and safe treatment option for appropriately selected older esophageal cancer patients, with acceptable short- and long-term clinical and nutritional outcomes.