Emergency tracheal intubation peri-operative risk factors and prognostic impact after esophagectomy

Abstract Background Emergent endotracheal intubation (ETI) is a serious complication after Oesophagectomy. It is still unclear that perioperative risk factors and prognosis of these patients with ETI. Methods Between January 2015 and December 2018, 21 patients who received ETI after esophagectomy were enrolled (ETI group) at the department of thoracic surgery, Fujian Union hospital, China. Each study subject matched one patient who underwent the same surgery in the current era were included (control group). Patient characteristics and perioperative factors were collected. Results Patients with ETI were older than those without ETI (p = 0.022). The patients with history of smoking in ETI group were significantly more than those in control group (p = 0.013). The stay-time of postanesthesia care unit (PACU) in ETI group was significantly longer than that in control group (p = 0.001). The incidence of anastomotic leak or electrolyte disorder in ETI group was also higher than that in control group (p = 0.014; p = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis indicated history of smoke (HR 6.43, 95%CI 1.39–29.76, p = 0.017) and longer stay time of PACU (HR 1.04, 95%CI 1.01–1.83, p = 0.020) both were independently associated with higher risks of ETI. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 47.6% in patients with ETI and 85.7% in patients without ETI (HR 4.72, 95%CI 1.31-17.00, p = 0.018). COX regression analysis indicated ETI was an independent risk factor affecting the OS. Conclusion The study indicated that history of smoking and longer stay-time in PACU both were independently associated with higher risks of ETI; and ETI was an independent risk factor affecting the OS of patients after esophagectomy. Trial registration This trial was retrospectively registered with the registration number of ChiCTR2000038549.