[Pulmonary complications of esophagectomy for carcinoma of the middle third of the esophagus].

The authors studied 20 patients undergoing operation for a carcinoma of the middle third of the oesophagus during the period January 1972 to April 1975. Postoperative pulmonary complications are extremely common in such patients. All the patients had pulmonary function study results which were compatible with this type of surgery. All underwent resection with oesophagogastric anastomosis via a left thoracophrenolaparotomy. Of the 20 patients, 14 suffered from one or more episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency, some related to pneumonia. On the basis of various associated clinical, radiological, biological, evolutive and histopathological criteria, five types of pulmonary complication were distinguished: 1-Shock lung; 2-Infective pneumonia; 3-Traumatic pulmonary disease; 4-Acute cor pulmonale; 5-Lung disease of undetermined origin. Twelve patients died as a result of pulmonary complications, 11 early (before the 16th day). One patient only died as a result of rupture of the oesophagogastric anastomosis.