title: Haemodynamic compromise during thoracoscopic/laparoscopic oesophagectomy.
abstract: Minimally invasive oesophagectomy is a relatively new procedure that is performed by means of thoracoscopy and laparoscopy. One stage of the procedure involves creation of a peritoneo-pleural communication in the presence of a pneumoperitoneum. In the case presented, severe hypotension occurred at this point. We believe this was caused by the escape of carbon dioxide from the peritoneal cavity into the right hemithorax, resulting in tension pneumothorax and cardiac tamponade. We believe this to be a predictable complication of this procedure but one that if expected, recognised and correctly managed, should not result in adverse outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, Davis, Medical Center, Sacramento, USA.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: McConkey
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology; D002496:Central Venous Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D010535:Laparoscopy; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D013906:Thoracoscopy