Postoperative Hypoxemia Increases the Risk of Anastomotic Leak After Radical Esophagectomy

This retrospective study included all patients who underwent radical esophagectomy at our center over the past five years. After screening based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, PaO₂ levels within the first postoperative week were recorded (the lowest value was used if multiple measurements were taken on the same day), along with whether the condition improved after corrective interventions, patients were accordingly divided into Low Pa0₂ Group (at least one recorded instance of PaO₂ <80 mmHg) and Normal Pa0₂ Group. Anastomotic leakage was diagnosed based on barium swallow, endoscopy, chest-abdominal CT, or typical clinical signs. By comparing the incidence of anastomotic leakage between the two groups, the relationship between postoperative PaO₂ and anastomotic leakage was analyzed, with further investigation into whether postoperative hypoxemia constitutes an independent and modifiable risk factor.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients diagnosed with esophageal carcinoma or benign esophageal tumors
• Patients requiring surgical resection of the lesion with subsequent esophageal reconstruction
• Patients must have had at least one postoperative arterial blood gas analysis
• Patients must have routinely undergone at least one of the following for postoperative evaluation of the anastomosis: endoscopy, CT scan, or esophagram

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who did not require esophageal reconstruction
• Patients undergoing esophageal replacement with colon
• Patients with incomplete data