Abstract: Objective To discuss the probable pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic and treatment methods, and prognosis of intramural esophageal dissection (IED), in order to improve diagnostic and therapeutic levels for IED. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of one patient suffering from circumferential intramural dissection of whole thoracic esophagus with inflammation of false lumen and localized esophageal perforation treated in the First People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University in February 2010. The 56 years female underwent right exploratory thoracotomy through a standard posterolateral incision in the fifth intercostal space with the whole diseased esophagus resected and the stomach anastomosed through retrosternal tunnel to the cervical intact esophagus in the left neck. Case reports with integral clinical data in recent 10 years’ literature were reviewed through PubMed searching system with the keyword being intramural esophageal dissection or intramural esophageal hematoma. Results The patient was finally cured by whole thoracic esophagectomy and discharged at postoperative day 14. Halfyear followup result was satisfactory. Thirteen cases with integral clinical data were reviewed. The major manifestations were mainly chest and dorsal pain, odynophagia and dysphagia, and occasional hematemesis. Diagnosis was mainly based on esophagography, endoscope and CT. Twelve patients were cured or remitted after conservative therapy, endoscopic therapy or surgical therapy. One patient died after surgical exploration. Conclusions IED is arare disease, and esophagography, endoscope and CT are important diagnostic methods. IED is widely regarded as benign process which responds to conservative managements and endoscopic treatments. However, in some severe cases, we suppose that removal of the diseased esophagus is more reliable.
Abstract： Objective To analyze possible associated risk factors of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) after lung resection in order to decrease the incidence and mortality of PPC. Methods We reviewed the data of 302 patients including 228 males and 74 females undergoing lung resection from January 2007 to December 2009 in our department. The age of the patients ranged from 23 to 91 years old with an average age of 63.38 years. Based on the present definition of PPC, we recorded the related information and data before, during and after the operation, and observed the rate of PPC. The independent risk factors of PPC were evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 22 patients (7.28%) died during the operation and 75 patients (24.83%) experienced 110 times of PPC, the majority of which were prolonged air leak/bronchopleural fistula (8.94%, 27/302), nosocomial pneumonia (6.95%, 21/302) and acute respiratory failure (6.29%, 19/302). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that an American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score ≥3 (OR=2.400，P=0.020) and prolonged duration of immediate postoperative mechanical ventilation (OR=1.620，P=0.030) were independent factors associated with the development of PPC.Conclusions The ASA score based on the patients’ general condition and the function status of the main organs, and the prolonged duration of immediate postoperative mechanical ventilation are independent risk factors of PPC. In order to decrease the PPC rate, more attention should be paid to perfecting preoperative preparation, improving the function and condition of the organs, preserving pulmonary function and decreasing the duration of immediate postoperative mechanical ventilation for patients with high risk factors.