The duration of uniportal (minimally invasive) esophageal cancer surgery varies depending on the location and size of the tumor. Compared to open surgery, minimally invasive esophageal cancer surgery is considerably shorter, taking approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. While stomach tubing surgery, performed through three incisions in the abdomen, takes approximately 45 minutes, the uniportal surgery performed through a single incision in the chest can take 1 to 1.5 hours.