233 POSTOPERATIVE DELIRIUM AFTER OESOPHAGECTOMY FOR CANCER: HOW CAN WE PREVENT AND MANAGE IT?

Abstract

Abstract Oesophagectomy is associated with high morbidity. One of the postoperative complication observed after esophageal resection is Post Operative Delirium (POD), a psychiatric disease caused by major surgical stress and pharmacological treatments. POD can jeopardize patient healing-process since patients are not collaborative to perioperative care but also because they can harm themselves. Thus the aim of this systematic review was to identify POD factors and its effective management in patients undergone oesophagectomy for oesophageal/oesophagogastric-junction cancer. Methods A comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, psycINFO and psycARTICLES in order to identify all articles published until January 2020. The following combinations of terms were used for the search strategy: neoplasm; esophagus; gastro-esophageal junction; oesophagectomy; delirium. The following inclusion criteria were set: full article published in English; patients with esophageal cancer undergone oesophagectomy; POD observed. Two researchers independently selected studies matching the inclusion criteria. Duplicate studies, non-relevant topic, data from abstracts or unpublished were excluded. Any disagreements between the researchers’ evaluation concerning inclusion of studies were resolved by consensus. Results Of 235 studies yielded by systematic literature search, 21 met inclusion criteria. POD incidence was observed between 3 and 38% of patients and was precursor of other complications in 1/3 of POD patients. Preoperative risk factors were older age, cerebrovascular disease and pulmonary disfunction. Anxiety and depression resulted predisposing factors. Perioperative risk factors were duration of surgery, ICU length of stay, colloids infusion and blood transfusion. Open-surgery seemed to influence POD more than minimally-invasive and robotic surgery. Interventions identified to treat POD were pharmacological (prophylactic haloperidol, insomnia treatment) and behavioral (patient reorientation by family involvement, bright-light therapy, early mobilization). Conclusion This systematic review identified preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative risk factors of POD after oesophagectomy. No standardized prevention nor treatment of POD was identified. POD impacts patients’ ability in perceiving postoperative symptoms. The difficulty in communicating with health professionals may lead to delay the diagnosis of others complications and prolong hospital stay. Therefore further trials are required to assess efficacy of different POD treatments aimed to enhance postoperative management.