(1) Background: Currently, no data are available in the literature investigating the influence of radiotherapy (RT) on endotracheal intubation success in patients with esophageal cancer. This study aims to evaluate the impact of RT on endotracheal intubation quality metrics in patients with esophageal cancer. (2) Methods: Patients with esophageal cancer who underwent RT followed by surgery between 2012 and 2023 at the University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany, were retrospectively analyzed. (3) Results: Fifty-five patients, predominantly males 65.5% with a mean age of 64 years, were enrolled. Overall, 81.8% of the patients had an ASA class of III, followed by 27.2% ASA II. The mean prescribed cumulative total dose to the primary tumor and lymph node metastasis was 48.2 Gy with a mean single dose of 1.8 Gy. The mean laryngeal total dose was 40.0 Gy. Direct laryngoscopy was performed in 80.0% of cases, followed by 12.1% videolaryngoscopy, and 7.2% required fiberoptic intubation. Overall, 96.4% of patients were successfully intubated on the first attempt. (4) Conclusions: It has been demonstrated that post-RT effects can increase the risk of airway management difficulties and complications. The results of our study did not indicate any evidence of impaired advanced airway management in patients with esophageal cancer who had undergone RT.
(1) 背景：目前文献中尚无关于放疗对食管癌患者气管插管成功率影响的研究数据。本研究旨在评估放疗对食管癌患者气管插管质量指标的影响。(2) 方法：回顾性分析了2012年至2023年间在德国海德堡大学医院接受放疗后手术的食管癌患者。(3) 结果：共纳入55例患者，其中男性占65.5%，平均年龄64岁。总体而言，81.8%的患者ASA分级为III级，27.2%为ASA II级。原发肿瘤及淋巴结转移灶的平均处方累积总剂量为48.2 Gy，单次平均剂量1.8 Gy。喉部平均总剂量为40.0 Gy。80.0%的病例采用直接喉镜插管，12.1%使用视频喉镜，7.2%需要纤维支气管镜引导插管。总体首次插管成功率为96.4%。(4) 结论：已有研究表明放疗后效应可能增加气道管理困难及并发症风险。本研究结果未发现接受放疗的食管癌患者存在高级气道管理功能受损的证据。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家