Does neoadjuvant chemotherapy for carcinoma in the thoracic esophagus increase postoperative morbidity?
OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to examine whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy for a carcinoma in the thoracic esophagus increased the incidence of postoperative complications, and which clinicopathological factors may affect postoperative complications after esophagectomy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-four patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy for a carcinoma in the thoracic esophagus were reviewed in a retrospective study. Ninety-six patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 48 did not. The postoperative complications were grouped either general complications (Complications A) or surgery-related complications (Complications B). Complications A consisted of pulmonary, cardiac, hepatic, renal, and neurological complications, and catheter sepsis. Complications B consisted of a gastrointestinal tract leak, gastrointestinal tract necrosis, an intrathoracic or intraabdominal abscess, hemorrhage, ileus, and vocal cord palsy. In th
