[Perioperative Oral Management for Esophageal Cancer Patients]

Aspiration pneumonia, known as one of the most common postoperative complication after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, can be critical profoundly affecting upon postoperative course of patients. Since oral bacteria can be one of causes for development of postoperative pneumonia, perioperative oral management has very important role in reducing morbidity and improving function of dysphagia. We started perioperative oral management as a team approach for patients undergoing esophageal surgery since 1997. In the present study, we are going to introduce details of these our efforts including reoperative evaluation of oral status, education and tutorship for patients, and oral treatment to reduce postoperative complications after esophagectomy of esophageal cancer.