PS02.234: POSTOPERATIVE PNEUMONIA AFTER ESOPHAGEAL RESECTION: DO WE NEED PROPHYLCATIC ANTIBIOTICS FOR PREVENTION?

Abstract

Abstract Background Postoperative pulmonary complications are a common course of serious morbidity after esophageal resection. In literature rates of pneumonia are quoted up to 38%. Recent studies showed that minimally invasive esophagectomy could reduce this to 9 to 15%, but is this the only approach to lower the incidence of postoperative pneumonia? Methods We analysed our data from esophagectomies performed in our department between 2014 to 2017. Only procedures with thoracotomy due to malignancies were included. All patients received a single shot dose of piperacillin/tazobactam repeated after 4 hours during operation. Bronchoscopy was performed intraoperatively with bronchial toilet. Patients at risk (COPD or viscous secretion) recieved antibiotics for further 7 days. If postoperatively elevation of CRP or leucocytes ocurred, thorax CT scan was performed. Only when pulmonary infiltrates were visible pneumonia was diagnosed. Results 151 operations due to esophageal cancer were performed. Extended gastrectomies, minimal invasive esophagectomies with thoracoscopy and transhiatal resections were excluded. Only Ivor-Lewis resectios (108), McKeown resections (8) and colon interpositions (2) were analysed. The all over pneumonia rate was 13,6% (16 patients). The 30 day mortality was 2,5%. None of the patients died due to pneumonia. Conclusion To reduce postoperative pneumonia rates is an important aim in esophageal surgery. Latest data showed that minimally invasive surgery is adequate to achieve this. But not every patient is suitable for this procedure. From our single center experience we could show that also intraopereative bronchial toilet together with prophylactic antibiotic therapy could achieve good results. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.