Journal of Chest Surgery

The Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (대한심장혈관흉부외과학회)
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Airway Obstruction Caused by Loculated Mediastinal Effusion after Ivor Lewis Operation

  • Kim, Hyun Jo (Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2014.01.21
  • Accepted : 2014.03.18
  • Published : 2014.06.05
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Abstract

Airway obstruction after esophageal surgery is quite rare, and few such cases have been reported. A 57-year-old woman who underwent the Ivor Lewis procedure for esophageal carcinoma complained of a sudden onset of severe dyspnea on postoperative day 3. Chest computed tomography scan revealed that the collection of a large volume of mediastinal fluid caused marked luminal compression on the trachea and the gastric conduit. Explorative thoracotomy revealed a clear serous fluid in the space between the trachea and the gastric conduit, and all respiratory symptoms were relieved after the fluid was drained. The possibility of tracheal compression by loculated effusion, such as chyloma, should be considered in a patient who complains of respiratory deterioration after esophageal surgery.

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References

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