[The preserving effects of bronchial arteries and pulmonary nerves at radical esophagectomy on cardio-respiratory functions in dogs].

In order to investigate the relationship between postoperative pulmonary complications and radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer including the merit of preservation of the bronchial arteries and pulmonary nerves, changes in cardio-respiratory functions were studied perioperatively by using 28 dogs. Four groups of the experiments were designed as follows. Group A, ablation around the esophagus and trachea including upper mediastinal and cervical lymphnode dissection; Group B, Group A with preserving bronchial arteries and pulmonary nerves; Group C, Group A with postoperative hydration of crystalloid; Group D, Group B with postoperative hydration of crystalloid. The following results were obtained. 1. PAP and PWP in Group A showed marked elevations by 3 hours after surgery. 2. Intravenous hydration of crystalloid resulted in remarkable increase in EVLW in Group A, while the slight changes were observed in Group B. 3. In Group A, CL were decreased, and then RL and pulmonary shunt ratio were significantly increased postoperatively as compared with these values in Group B. 4. In microscopic findings of the lung, there were no significant differences between Group A and Group B. On the other hand, atelectasis, congestion and perivascular edema were noted in groups with the hydration. These results suggest radical esophagectomy preserving bronchial arteries and pulmonary nerves play an important role in the prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications.