Respiratory complications following mini-invasive laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Experience in 215 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory complications (RC) including respiratory failure and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) affect the outcomes of esophagectomy substantially. In order to decrease their incidence, identification of important features of RC is necessary. AIM: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of postoperative RC following hybrid esophagectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The retrospective analysis of consecutive hybrid esophagectomies for malignancies (transhiatal laparoscopic or thoracoscopic resection and limited open reconstruction phase) assessed the incidence and outcomes of RC in relation to the patients' age, ASA score, neoadjuvant therapy, type of surgical procedure, TNM stage, the incidence of anastomotic leak and Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: Transhiatal laparoscopic (176, 81.9%) or thoracoscopic hybrid esophagectomy (39, 18.1%, conversion in 7 patients) was completed in 215 patients, 187 (87%) men and 28 (13%) women. Respiratory complications developed in 86 (40%) and severe respiratory failure or ARDS occurred in 29 (13.5%) patients. The overall in-hospital mortality was 7.4%, 30-day mortality 5.6% (RC 9, myocardial infarction 1, conduit necrosis 1), and 90-day mortality a further 1.8% (multiple organ failure, ARDS). The incidence of RC correlates significantly with ASA score II and III (p = 0.0002) and Clavien-Dindo grade 4 and 5 in severe RC (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, hospital stay (p < 0.0001) and mortality (p < 0.0001) were significantly increased in RC. CONCLUSIONS: The results show a higher occurrence of RC in polymorbid patients and patients with severe complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Adequate risk management including surgical technique and perioperative prophylaxis and therapy of RC should be studied and standardized.

[Foregut diseases: foregut neoplasms]. / Onemocnení horní cásti trávicího traktu: zhoubná onemocnení foregutu.

The diseases esophagus, stomach and duodenum are more frequently described as the foregut diseases. This term arises from the common embryologic origin of this part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Therefore similar diagnostic approach, surgical therapy and possible secondary prevention are recommended.The concept of foregut surgery has been used for many years in USA and western countries mainly among surgeons and gastroenterologist, especially i the management of patients with upper GI tract malignancies.In the Czech Republic, there were 2,204 patients diagnosed yearly with foregut cancers in years 2006-2010. These carcinomas are the second most common solid GI malignancies, following colorectal cancer (8,127 yearly). Among all cancers they occupy the fourth position in incidence after colorectal cancer, breast cancer (6,371 yearly) and lung cancer (6,782 yearly). Regarding the numbers of surgically treated cancers, they rank the third position. The late clinical stage diagnosis is associated with low five year survival (18 % esophagus; 30 % stomach).Therefore, it is necessary to search for better early endoscopic diagnosis. In case of surgery, the improvement is possible by using the high volume hospitals principle.