Análisis de las complicaciones postquirúrgicas tras cirugía de resección traqueal

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the incidence of post-surgical complications in patients undergoing tracheal or cricotracheal resection, and the factors associated with said complications. Method: an observational analytical retrospective study conducted in all patients admitted for tracheal resection at the Thoracic Surgery Unit of the Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge (period from 2017 to 2019). There was a review of electronic clinical records: sociodemographical variables, background and associated comorbidities, clinical variables, and presence of post-surgical complications. Descriptive and bivariate analysis was conducted. Results: in total, 13 patients were included: their mean age was 65.6 years, and 54% were female. Main comorbidities: hypertension (76.9%), diabetes (23%) and obesity (34%). The mean stay at the Unit was 14.2 days. Of these patients, 46% underwent cricotracheal resection, and 54% underwent tracheal resection. Patients who underwent tracheal resection presented more complications (71.4%) than those with cricotracheal resections (28.6%). In total, 53.8% of patients presented complications. Obese patients presented a higher proportion of complications vs. non-obese patients. Patients with complications had a higher mean hospital stay vs. those who did not present complications (17.57 vs. 10.33 days).Conclusions: more than half of patients undergoing tracheal or cricotracheal resection presented post-surgical complications, though with a low incidence: surgical wound infection, dysphagia, changes in voice, bruising, reintubation, and bleeding. A higher proportion of complications was observed in patients with obesity.