Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia Facilitating Upper Abdominal Surgery in the Presence of Malignant Pleural Effusion and Hepatic Metastases: A Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37275/bsm.v9i7.1343Keywords:
Hepatic metastases, Malignant pleural effusion, Metastatic breast cancer, Thoracic epidural anesthesia, Upper abdominal surgeryAbstract
Background: Upper abdominal surgery in patients with advanced metastatic cancer, particularly with significant pulmonary and hepatic involvement, presents substantial perioperative challenges. Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and hepatic metastases compromise cardiorespiratory reserve, increasing the risks associated with general anesthesia and surgical stress. Thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) offers potential benefits by providing effective analgesia, reducing pulmonary complications, and attenuating the surgical stress response.
Case presentation: We report the case of a 65-year-old male patient with metastatic breast cancer involving the lungs, liver, and spine, complicated by recurrent malignant pleural effusion. He presented with dyspnea and abdominal pain, requiring a laparotomy for liver biopsy to guide further oncological management. Given his ASA III status, significant pulmonary compromise (pre-operative SpO2 93-94% on room air, effusion requiring drainage), and the nature of the surgery, TEA was chosen as the primary anesthetic technique. An epidural catheter was successfully placed at the T9-T10 interspace, achieving a T4 sensory block using ropivacaine 0.5%. The laparotomy and liver biopsy proceeded with stable intraoperative hemodynamics and adequate surgical conditions.
Conclusion: TEA provided effective anesthesia and analgesia for upper abdominal surgery in this high-risk patient with extensive metastatic disease and compromised pulmonary function. This approach facilitated the procedure while maintaining hemodynamic stability and avoiding the potential respiratory complications associated with general anesthesia and tracheal intubation. TEA should be considered a viable anesthetic option in carefully selected high-risk patients undergoing abdominal oncological surgery.
Authors
- Faisal Irwanda1*
- Andre Azhar2
- Dino Irawan2
- 1Resident of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Riau/Arifin Achmad General Hospital, Pekanbaru, Indonesia
- 2Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Riau/Arifin Achmad General Hospital, Pekanbaru, Indonesia
Corresponding author Faisal Irwanda — irwandafaisal@gmail.com
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