Skip to nav Skip to content

A transhiatal esophagectomy is a surgical procedure commonly used to treat patients with esophageal cancer. During a traditional transhiatal esophagectomy, a surgeon makes an incision from the patient’s breastbone to their bellybutton as well as another small incision on the left side of the neck. Then, the surgeon removes the esophagus and reconstructs a pathway for food using a portion of the patient’s stomach or large intestine.

Patients who come to Moffitt Cancer Center for a transhiatal esophagectomy may be able to undergo this procedure robotically. Moffitt surgeons utilize the da Vinci® Surgical System to perform procedures such as a transhiatal esophagectomy through just a few small incisions. Because of this, patients who undergo robot-assisted surgery may benefit from less surgical blood loss, shorter recovery times, minimal scarring and improved pain management, in comparison to those who undergo traditional open surgery. Additionally, the da Vinci Surgical System allows surgeons to achieve better visibility, control and precision while operating thanks to the use of advanced technologies, which include:

  • A magnified 3D high-definition vision system
  • Wristed instruments that have a range of motion superior to that of a human hand

To determine if a patient will benefit from a traditional or robotic transhiatal esophagectomy, a multispecialty team consisting of medical oncologists, gastroenterologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and other experts will review each patient’s case. Based on the size, stage and location of the patient’s tumor, his or her team will develop an individualized treatment plan that will give the patient the best chance at a favorable outcome and an improved quality of life. Often, surgery for esophageal cancer is combined with other therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, electrocoagulation or immunotherapy.

To learn more about our approach to esophageal cancer treatment at Moffitt – including the benefits of undergoing a traditional or robotic transhiatal esophagectomy – call 1-888-663-3488 or complete a new patient registration form online. We will see patients with or without referrals.