Cardiac tamponade after subtotal esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer: a case report

Abstract

Cardiac tamponade is a rare (0.36％) but serious complication of surgery for esophageal cancer and can be lethal, if not dealt with promptly. We experienced a case of cardiac tamponade after subtotal esophagectomy using gastric reconstruction, via the retrosternal route, in a patient with thoracic esophageal cancer. In collaboration with multiple clinical departments, hemostasis was performed three times under left and right intercostal thoracotomy. As a result, it was possible to save the patient’s life without damaging the gastric reconstruction. This case highlights the possibility of cardiac tamponade, developing due to bleeding from pericardial veins, as a complication of esophageal cancer surgery. If changes in hemodynamics are observed, careful examination by echocardiography or computed tomography is recommended.