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Abe et al. Mini-invasive Surg 2023;7:28 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2574-1225.2023.15 Page 5 of 14

Figure 2. (A) Lymph node dissection of the tracheal bifurcation. The yellow arrow indicates the tracheal sheath; (B) Peri-aortic
dissection of the descending aorta. Yellow arrows indicate the ligament interpleural de Morosow; (C) Lymph node dissection around
the right recurrent laryngeal nerve. The right recurrent laryngeal nerve was identified at the recurrent part (yellow arrow); (D) Lymph
node dissection around the right recurrent laryngeal nerve. The red arrow indicates the tracheoesophageal sheath; (E) Intraoperative
view after lymph node dissection around the right recurrent laryngeal nerve; (F) Lymph node dissection around the left recurrent
laryngeal nerve. The dissected tissues were temporarily gathered on the esophageal side along the inner surface of the
tracheoesophageal sheath; (G) Lymph node dissection around the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. The ventrally-dropped lymphatic chain
was explored to the pre-tracheal border, then clipped and dissected; (H) Intraoperative view after lymph node dissection around the left
recurrent laryngeal nerve. AZ: Azygos arch; E: esophagus; Lt. RLN: left recurrent laryngeal nerve; Rt. RLN: right recurrent laryngeal
nerve; TD: thoracic duct; Tr: trachea.

Abdominal procedure and reconstruction
Gastric mobilization and upper abdominal lymph node dissection were performed using a hand-assisted
laparoscopic approach, with the exception of cases with massive metastases of abdominal lymph nodes or a
history of a laparotomy. Bowel continuity was principally reconstructed using a gastric conduit via the
retrosternal route. Cervical esophagogastric anastomosis was performed using the modified Collard