ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE To investigate the causes and preventive measures of postoperative pneumonia due to cervical part and upper thoracic part esophageal carcinoma surgery. METHODS Fifty seven cases with cervical part or upper thoracic part esophageal carcinoma from 2001 to 2005 were studied restropectively. RESULTS One patient died of aspiration pneumonia,one died of anastomotic leakage,and three died of adult respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).The tracheotomy and mechanical ventilation were applied.Pneumonia was confirmed among sixteen patients at different degree. CONCLUSIONS Many causes contribute to postoperative pneumonia on patients with cervical part or thoracic part esophageal carcinoma,and the lesion of recurrent nerve is an important reason.Protection of recurrent nerve may decrease postoperative pneumonia.