Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2014 Jun;47(3):313-316.

Airway Obstruction Caused by Loculated Mediastinal Effusion after Ivor Lewis Operation

• Kim HJ

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.

Keyword

Airway obstruction; Mediastinum; Effusion; Esophagectomy; Chylothorax

MeSH Terms

Airway Obstruction*
Chylothorax
Dyspnea
Esophagectomy
Female
Humans
Mediastinum
Middle Aged
Phenobarbital
Thoracotomy
Thorax
Trachea
Phenobarbital