title: [Re-thoracotomy for intrathoracic complications after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer].
abstract: We reviewed the indications for re-thoracotomy after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Hemothorax, chylothorax, tracheobronchial injury (fistula), pneumothorax, and pyothorax were the main causes of re-thoracotomy. Indications for emergency thoracotomy were as follows. 1)Hemothorax:bleeding through the chest drain continuing at >100 ml/hour for ≥5 hour, or in cases when normal blood pressure cannot be maintained without blood transfusion. 2)Chylothorax:in cases with ≥1.5 l/day of chyle drainage for >5 days under conservative treatment. Healing is not seen for 14 days after conservative treatment. Nutritional status of the patient has worsened. 3)Tracheobronchial injury:at 1st respiration state should be understood. After we maintain the patient's airway, fistula is treated by closure and plombage with omentum or muscle flap. Appropriate diagnosis and timing are important for re-thoracotomy for complications after esophagectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgical Science, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.forename: Takanori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inose
authors.forename: Naritaka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Shigemasa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Keigo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: Daigo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ozawa
authors.forename: Takehiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yokobori
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Souda
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fukuchi
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kuwano
mesh_terms: D001980:Bronchi / Q000293:injuries; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000601:surgery; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries