title: A preliminary report on anaesthesia for thoracoscopic oesophagectomy.
abstract: The anaesthetic experience in three patients undergoing thoracoscopic oesophagectomy is discussed. The indications for surgery and the premorbid states are outlined. The necessity for one-lung ventilation, with its attendant cardiopulmonary effects, the difficulty of patient access and the assessment of blood loss were the main problems encountered. Pulmonary morbidity was high in the post-operative period despite the avoidance of thoracotomy. Two patients developed persistent vocal cord paralysis. In conclusion, the role of thoracoscopic oesophagectomy needs further evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Kandang Kerbau Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Sia
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013906:Thoracoscopy