The efficacy of modified recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissection

ZHU Panpan; LI Shaoxin

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-4136.2024.04.006

Abstract：Objective To explore the efficacy of modified recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissection in the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods The clinical data of 110 patients admitted to Weinan Central Hospital receiving thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from January 2019 to February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Among them,63 patients underwent modified recurrent nerve lymph node dissection and 47 patients underwent traditional recurrent nerve lymph node dissection and were included in the improved group and the control group,respectively.The surgical indexes,lymph node dissection,complications,recurrence and prognosis were compared between the two groups.Results There were no significant differences in operation time,intraoperative blood loss,drainage tube indwelling time and hospital stay between the two groups(P＞0.05).The number of recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissection,3-year survival rate and survival time in the improved group were significantly higher than those in the control group,and the total complication rate and recurrence rate were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Six months after surgery,scores for dysphagia,eating,reflux,pain,swallowing saliva,eating obstruction,dry mouth,appetite loss,and coughing in both groups were significantly lower than before surgery.Additionally,the improved group had higher scores for dysphagia and eating compared to the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusions Improved recurrent laryngeal lymph node dissection helps improve the quality of life,prolong the survival time,reduce the recurrence rate and complication rate of patients undergoing thoracoscopic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma surgery,leading to better patients prognosis.