Lung volume reduction surgery allows esophageal tumor resection in selected esophageal carcinoma with severe emphysema.
BACKGROUND
Esophageal carcinoma patients with coexisting severe emphysema are high risk surgical candidates. We hypothesize that simultaneous unilateral lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) allows us to offer esophageal tumor resection to patients previously considered inoperable.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with esophageal carcinoma were recruited. All patients had severe emphysema with impaired respiratory function and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Esophageal tumor resection with gastroesophagostomy in the thorax and then unilateral LVRS were performed at the same anesthesia. Dyspnea index, exercise capacity, pulmonary function, and HRQL were assessed at baseline and every three months up to one year postoperatively.


RESULTS
There was no perioperative death or significant morbidity. Clinical improvements were observed at 3, 6, and 12 months, in terms of dyspnea index, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, residual volume, partial pressure of oxygen, arterial, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, arterial, 6-minute walking distance, dysphagia, and odynophagia (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). The Karnofsky Performance Status score improved from baseline 36 +/- 3 to 53 +/- 3 at 3 months, 67 +/- 5 at 6 months, and 63 +/- 8 at 12 months (p < 0.01). Significant improvement was seen in all the Short-Form 36-item Health Survey HRQL domains at 3 months (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). These improvements remained significant for up to 6 months, and for up to 12 months for physical functioning and general health. The Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale score and all the scales were improved after surgery (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows that in selected patients with esophageal carcinoma who suffer from severe emphysema, simultaneous unilateral LVRS renders esophageal tumor resection safe and effective. Also, these patients may experience early improvement in pulmonary function and HRQL.
Tan
Qun-You
QY
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Wang
Ru-Wen
RW
Jiang
Yao-Guang
YG
Fan
Shi-Zhi
SZ
Hsin
Michael K Y
MK
Gong
Tai-Qian
TQ
Zhou
Jing-Hai
JH
Zhao
Yun-Ping
YP
D000368:Aged; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests