Objective: To review essential nursing implications in the care of postoperative esophagectomy patients.
Data sources: Peer-reviewed literature, institutional experience, journal articles.
Conclusion: Utilizing a system-based approach to assess the post-esophagectomy patient will assist the nurse in ensuring safe and comprehensive care.
Implications for nursing practice: Nursing care measures to reduce perioperative esophagectomy morbidity includes aggressive fluid management, pain management, use of epidural analgesia, and early ambulation. Therefore, nurses play a significant role in improving the outcomes for the esophagectomy patient.
Keywords: Ivor-Lewis; anastomosis; esophagectomy; pneumonia; transhiatal.
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