Intraoperative hypotension is not associated with adverse short-term postoperative outcomes after esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients

BACKGROUND: The effect of low systolic blood pressure and its subsequent postoperative outcome during esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is not well studied. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted and data were collected on patients who underwent esophagectomy and esophagogastric anastomosis for esophageal cancer. Intraoperative hypotension (IOH), defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mm Hg lasting more than 5 min, was recorded. Patients' 30 days post-operative composite outcome of mortality, anastomotic leak, and prolonged hospital stay were analyzed as outcome variables. RESULT: A total of 54 patients underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer during the study period. The mean age was 54 years. The mean duration of the surgery was 208 min. Intraoperative mean low SBP was 80 mmHg while the lowest record was 55 mmHg. IOH occurred in 51% (n = 29) of patients. Anastomotic leak occurred in 7% (n = 4) (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.26-6.3; p = 0.76). In-hospital mortality was 5% (n = 3) (OR 1.44, 95% CI 0.22-9.3; p = 0.7) and 33% (n = 18) had prolonged hospital stay (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.14-1.9; p = 0.34). The overall anastomotic leak rate was 13% (n = 7). Multivariate analysis (logistic regression model) showed SBP < 90 mmHg for more than 5 min was not significantly associated either with individual or composite outcomes of mortality, anastomotic leak, and prolonged hospital stay (AOR 1.06, 95% CI 0.98-1.14; p = 0.16) CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, a systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg for greater than 5 min during surgery has no significant statistical association with composite adverse outcomes of mortality, anastomotic leak, and prolonged hospital stay.