Clinical significance of postoperative subcutaneous emphysema after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer.
Surg Endosc 2023;
37:2014-2020. [PMID:
36284014 DOI:
10.1007/s00464-022-09730-9]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Postoperative subcutaneous emphysema (SE) is a possible complication of thoracoscopic or laparoscopic surgery. This study investigated the risk factors and clinical significance of SE after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer (VATS-e).
METHODS
This study included 135 patients who underwent VATS-e with artificial CO2 pneumothorax. Based on the X-ray images on the first postoperative day, patients were divided into two groups: N/L group (no SE or SE localized at the thoracic area, n = 65) and SE group (SE extended to the cervical area, n = 70). We compared clinicopathological features, surgical findings, and short-term outcomes between the two groups.
RESULTS
In SE group, there were more patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy compared to N/L group. SE group had significantly lower preoperative body mass index. SE group had more frequently two-lung ventilation than N/L group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that low BMI, NAC, and two-lung ventilation were independent risk factors for SE extended to the cervical area. Although pulmonary complication was relatively frequent in SE group, there were no significant differences in surgical outcomes between two groups, and all patients had SE disappeared within 21 days without serious complications.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite extension to the cervical area, SE had a modest impact on the short-term result of VATS-e with artificial CO2 pneumothorax.
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