The risk analysis of unplanned tracheal intubation after radical esophagectomy

Esophageal cancer patients often face various challenges in the perioperative period, and unplanned tracheal intubation is a serious complication that can significantly impact patient outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the risk factors for reintubation in esophageal cancer patients after surgery. A retrospective study was carried out on esophageal cancer patients who underwent surgery at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital in 2019. Data on patient demographics, surgical details, and anesthesia techniques were collected. We employed logistic regression analysis to explore the factors associated with the occurrence of unplanned tracheal intubation. The study encompassed a total of 463 patients. 7.8% (36/463) of the enrolled patients encountered unplanned reintubation during the postoperative phase. Notably, respiratory failure (9/49, 18.4%) and pulmonary infection (8/49, 16.3%) emerged as the primary drivers prompting patients to undergo reintubation in the postoperative period. The results of multivariable logistic analysis indicated that analgesic technique was the independent risk factor for reintubation and compared with general anesthesia (GA) combined with epidural anesthesia, GA combined with nerve block was significantly associated with reintubation. This study analyzed the incidence of unplanned tracheal intubation in esophageal cancer patients after surgery and determined the key independent risk factors.