"Open" esophagectomy.

"Open" esophagectomy has been the standard of care for treatment of esophageal carcinoma against which evolving minimally invasive surgical, endoscopic, and non-operative therapies must be compared. In experienced hands and with appropriate patient selection, "open" esophagectomy can achieve good rates of cure with low mortality, acceptable morbidity, and good long-term quality of life.