Fig. 3

a Schematic illustration of “Step 3” of the left recurrent nerve lymph node (LRLN) dissection. After partial resection of the esophagus, the cranial side of the esophagus was retracted to the lateral side by the 4th arm of the robot to create a larger working space on the cranial side. The lymph nodes were gently retracted by the 1st robotic arm and removed from the surrounding tissue by the 3rd robotic arm. b Actual operative of “Step 3” of LRLN dissection