Cherian, VDivatia, J VKulkarni, ADasgupta, D2001-07-082009-06-022001-07-082009-06-022001-07-08Cherian V, Divatia JV, Kulkarni A, Dasgupta D. Cardiomediastinal tamponade and shock following three-stage transthoracic oesophagectomy. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine. 2001 Jul-Sep; 47(3): 185-7http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/115673Massive gastric tube dilatation causing cardiomediastinal tamponade is an unusual cause of obstructive shock after transthoracic oesophagectomy. A 55-year-old female was operated for total transthoracic oesophagectomy. Twelve hours after the surgery, she developed hypotension and raised central venous pressure unresponsive to fluid infusion and ionotropes. X-ray chest showed a massively dilated stomach, which was causing intrathoracic tamponade. Suction applied to the nasogastric tube led to aspiration of 150-200 ml of fluid and a large volume of air, which led to resolution of the haemodynamic instability. A simple manoeuvre like nasogastric suction in postoperative case of oesophagectomy can serve as a diagnostic as well as therapeutic tool. It must be performed before resorting to invasive and expensive examination or intervention.engBlood PressureCarcinoma, Squamous Cell --surgeryCardiac Tamponade --diagnosisDiagnosis, DifferentialEsophageal Neoplasms --surgeryEsophagectomyFemaleHumansHypotension --etiologyMiddle AgedPostoperative ComplicationsSuctionCase Reports