Ventilatory and Intensive Care Requirements Following Oesophageal Resection

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of this study was to analyse the results of early postoperative extubation following oesophagectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODSAll patients who had undergone oesophageal resection between 1994 and 2001 were identified from a prospectively collected database. Their records were then reviewed in order to analyse morbidity and mortality along with intensive care unit (ICU) and ventilatory requirements. All patients were extubated immediately following surgery and monitored on a surgical high dependency unit (HDU). RESULTSA total of 98 resections were undertaken (76 men; mean age, 64.3 years; range, 40–80 years). Surgical procedures were Ivor-Lewis (71), left thoraco-abdominal (15) and transhiatal (12) oesophagectomies. Overall, 8 patients died and 13 patients had anastomotic leaks. Sixteen patients required ventilation and admission to ICU, of whom 5 died. Three patients died on HDU following an elective decision not to transfer to ICU. Reasons for ventilation and ICU admission were anastomotic...