title: Anesthesiological hazards during laparoscopic transhiatal esophageal resection: a case control study of the laparoscopic-assisted vs the conventional approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interest for minimal invasive approach of esophagus resection is increasing. Today, a minimally invasive transhiatal esophagectomy is possible and is accepted widespread. Since cardiopulmonary changes during laparoscopic dissection of the mediastinum has not been studied yet we assessed the anesthesiological consequences of pneumothorax during laparoscopic mediastinal dissection.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case control study, 25 laparoscopically assisted transhiatal espohagus resections were compared with a control group consisting of 20 open transhiatal esophagus resections. Patient characteristics and intraoperative haemodynamic, respiratory, and ventilatory parameters were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The laparoscopic assisted procedure was performed successfully in 12 of the 20 patients. The duration of the laparoscopic assisted procedure, compared to the open group was significantly longer (p<0.05). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly less in the laparoscopic group (p<0.05). Mediastinal dissection resulted in entry of the pleura in 84% of the open and 93% of the laparoscopic assisted procedure. Carbonedioxide pneumothorax resulted in increased end-tidal CO2)and airway pressure levels and decreased lung compliance. Airway pressure showed a significant difference between the groups (p<0.05). Hemodynamic parameters did not differ between groups significantly. There were no differences in postoperative cardiopulmonary complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic assisted transhiatal esophagectomy is a safe procedure and has no increased risk of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications compared to thr conventional approach. The anesthesiologist and the surgeon must be aware of the potential risk of pleural injury to manage cardiopulmonary compromises and minimize complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Postbus 7057, 1081, Amsterdam, HV, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Makay
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: van den Broek
authors.forename: J Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Veerman
authors.forename: D W H
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Helfferich
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cuesta
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008170:Lung Compliance / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors