Figure 5. Drawings illustrate transthoracic esophagectomy with a left thoracoabdominal approach. In A, the posterior mediastinum and superior abdominal compartment are approached with a single incision through the left sixth intercostal space (arrow). In B, the esophagus and its adjacent structures are dissected en bloc. Lymph node dissection is also performed. Arrows indicate resection lines. In C, an anastomosis is created between the remaining esophagus and the gastric tube. Arrow indicates the original cardioesophageal junction.