Clinical analyses on salvage lymphadenectomy through cervical incision for patients with cervical and cervicothoracic recurrences after esophagectomy

Lymph nodes are often involved across the regions due to the special anatomic characteristics (1). Despite the efforts of extended lymphadenectomy, locoregional recurrences are often observed (2,3). The strategy of salvage therapy for patients with locoregional recurrences has not been established completely (4-6). In our center, for patients with cervical and cervicothoracic recurrences, salvage lymphadenectomy though cervical incision has been performed for years (7-9). We reviewed all patients underwent initial esophagectomy and secondary salvage lymphadenectomy in our center during July 2006 and September 2016. The study aimed to describe results of salvage lymphadenectomy and determine prognostic factors after the procedure