Infectious complications after esophageal surgery

The incidence of wound infection, which is an intrasurgical field infection, is lower than the incidence of pneumonia, which is an extrasurgical field infection, after esophageal cancer surgery. Several trials predicting postoperative infectious complications have been reported. One measured the phytohemagglutinin- and concanavalin A-induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients; one measured the white blood cell (WBC) count 2 h after surgery and the decrease in WBC count on first postoperative day; and another showed that the decrease in serum IgG2 level can predict the occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Useful strategies for managing infectious complications have also been reported. Applying mupirocin calcium hydrate ointment to the nasal cavity decreases the incidence of MRSA infections. Autologous blood collection reduces the need for allogeneic transfusion in patients undergoing resection of esophageal cancer, and avoidance of allogeneic transfusion may reduce the risk of postoperative infection. The total exposure to preoperative chemoradiotherapy should be limited to 40 Gy or less to prevent postoperative pneumonia.