To observe the effect of VATS on thoracic lymph node dissection for esophageal cancer and its effect on postoperative quality of life.

75 patients with esophageal cancer treated in our hospital from March 2014 to May 2016 were selected into data. According to the operation mode, 38 cases were divided into video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS group) and 37 cases underwent traditional thoracotomy (traditional group). The data was analyzed by SPSS18.0.Intraoperative and postoperative indicators and quality of life were assessed by independent t test. The postoperative complications and the one-year survival rate were examined by χ² test. The results were statistically significant with the difference of P<0.05.

The VATS group was superior to the traditional group (P<0.01) in terms of lymph node dissection, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, postoperative drainage, and time of spontaneous ambulation. In the VATS group, pulmonary infection, incision infection (thoracic abdomen), removal of chylothorax, and revision of the British abstract] postoperative complications such as anastomotic leakage were significantly lower than the conventional group (P<0.01). The 1-year survival rate of the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05) between the VATS group and the traditional group (73.68% vs. 67.57%). The scores of dysphagia in the two groups were significantly lower in the quality of life scores at the first week and the 12th week after surgery. The VATS group scored significantly better than the traditional group in terms of fatigue, physical function, postoperative pain, and comprehensive quality of life. P<0.05).

The treatment of thoracic lymph node dissection of esophageal cancer with VAST assisted surgery has good therapeutic effect, rapid recovery and less postoperative complications. It can significantly improve the quality of postoperative survival of the patients. It is worth popularizing in clinical practice.