[Study of risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications following esophageal cancer surgery--multivariate...

In 91 patients undergoing resection and reconstruction of the esophagus for esophageal cancer, risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications were studied. In order to investigate these factors, multivariate statistical analysis was applied. The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications was significantly higher in patients over 70 years of age who had poor renal function (PSP15' less than 25%) and had prolonged thoracotomy time (greater than 3 h) by Student's t test. In preoperative pulmonary functions, obstructive respiratory dysfunction (MMF, FEV1.0) correlated well with postoperative pulmonary complications. The analysis of each factor was, however, not enough to predict the risk of pulmonary complications following operation. Meanwhile, risk score (= 2.0 (age) + 1.0 (FVC) + 0.7 (MMF) + 1.5 (PSP15') + 1.8 (thoracotomy time) + 1.7 (postoperative RI] was obtained by multivariate statistical analysis. High incidence (greater than 80%) of pulmonary complications was observed in patients with risk score more than 5.0. It is suggested that using this risk score will be helpful for postoperative pulmonary care.