[Carcinoma of the esophagus: risk factors of morbimortality following esophagectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To identify which perioperative risk factors are associated to postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with carcinoma of the esophagus. DESIGN: We analyzed 8 perioperative risk factors: age, preoperative hospital stay, intraoperative blood transfusions, tumor stage, histology, grade of tumor differentiation, prior respiratory disease, surgical treatment. PATIENTS: Forty-six patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent surgical resection. RESULTS: 1) Morbidity: There was statistical significance between the increase in postoperative morbidity and age > 75 years (p < 0.001), advanced stage of disease (p < 0.001), preoperative hospital stay higher than 20 days (p < 0.05) and severe respiratory disease (p < 0.05). 2) Mortality: There was a statistically significant increase in postoperative mortality in patients with preoperative hospital stay higher than 20 days and in patients > 75 years. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of postoperative morbidity and mortality in esophageal cancer varies according to age, prior respiratory disease, tumor stage and preoperative hospital stay.