Preoperative inspiratory muscle weakness as a risk factor of postoperative pulmonary complications in patients with esophageal cancer.

Objective: We examined whether preoperative inspiratory muscle weakness (IMW) is a risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent subtotal esophagectomy.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with esophageal cancer who underwent a scheduled subtotal esophagectomy between June 2020 and May 2022. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was measured as inspiratory muscle strength using a respiratory dynamometer, and we defined IMW as MIP < 80% of the predicted value. Our primary outcome comprised overall PPCs. We investigated the relationship between IMW and PPCs using the Bayesian logistic regression model.

Results: After exclusion, 72 patients were included in this study. IMW was identified in 26 patients (36%), and PPCs developed in 28 patients (39%). Among patients with IMW, 15 (58%) developed PPCs. Preoperative IMW was associated with PPCs (mean odds ratio [OR]: 3.58; 95% credible interval [95% CrI]: 1.29, 9.73) in the unweighted model. A similar association was observed in the weighted model adjusted for preoperative and intraoperative contributing factors (mean OR: 4.15; 95% CrI: 2.04, 8.45).

Conclusions: Preoperative IMW was associated with PPCs in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent subtotal esophagectomy. This association remained after adjusting for preoperative and intraoperative contributing factors.