92-Year-Old Patient with Esophageal Cancer Walks Just One Day After Groundbreaking Surgery

Recently, the thoracic surgery team led by Dr. Zhu Ziyi at Grand Canal Campus of SRRSH (Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital) successfully performed an inflatable mediastinoscopy on a 92-year-old patient with esophageal cancer. Having recovered remarkably well, the patient was able to walk on postoperative day one.

Older patients with esophageal cancer face significantly higher surgical risks due to age-related physiological changes and multimorbidity. The patient, Mr. Sui (pseudonym), presented with swallowing difficulty and weight loss, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Given his advanced age and compromised cardiopulmonary function, multiple hospitals had expressed concern about surgical treatment.

Ultimately, Dr. Zhu's team opted for the internationally advanced inflatable mediastinoscopy technique. This approach utilizes high-definition endoscopy and precision instruments to minimize surgical trauma and postoperative complications. Compared to conventional thoracotomy, it requires only one cervical incision and 3-4 abdominal ports, with distinct advantages including minimal invasiveness, rapid recovery, superior visualization, and enhanced safety.

With coordinated support from anesthesiology and nursing teams, Dr. Zhu's team completed tumor resection and lymph node dissection smoothly. The procedure maintained optimal operative duration, minimal blood loss, and stable vital signs. It was a real pleasant surprise to see Mr. Sui's fast recovery as he was able to walk on the 1^st day after the surgery, with which his family was very pleased.

Dr. Zhu emphasized that successful surgery for older patients requires not only advanced technology but also multidisciplinary collaboration and personalized treatment planning. Under the leadership of Dr. He Zhengfu, Director of Thoracic Surgery, the department has achieved notable success in complex minimally invasive procedures, particularly in geriatric care. SRRSH plans to further refine and promote this inflatable mediastinoscopy technique to provide safer, more effective treatment options for elderly patients.