[Complication-free early extubation following abdomino-thoracic esophagectomy]

The combined thoracoabdominal procedure for patients with esophageal cancer is still associated with a high rate of pulmonary complications. Many institutions believe prophylactic postoperative mechanical ventilation to be the most effective measure against pulmonary complications. On the other hand, the duration of mechanical ventilation can have a significant influence on the incidence of pulmonary complications, which are increased after prolonged ventilatory support. Interstitial pulmonary edema is a frequent pathological finding with a poor prognosis after esophageal surgery. Increased water retention in the lung means a greater risk of atelectasis or pneumonia. At the St. Clara Hospital, Basle, patients with esophagectomy were extubated on the day of surgery. Despite early extubation there was a very low rate of minor pulmonary complications. To clarify possible factors contributing to this uncomplicated postoperative course, 20 patients with thoracoabdominal resection of the esophagus were evaluated. All patients were operated upon using a combination of thoracic epidural and light general anesthesia. At the end of the operation all were breathing spontaneously. After a short period of pressure support ventilation and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the mean extubation time was 3 h 10 min postoperatively. Local anesthetics and morphine given by the epidural route and the simultaneous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs made possible an uneventful and pain-free postoperative course. Early extubation, the immediate use of a CPAP mask system 2-3-hourly and an effective cough were the main points of respiratory therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)