Admission after esophagectomy is predictable and associated with high mortality. Methods A retrospective analysis of all patients after esophagectomy between January 2000 and June 2004 at a tertiary referral center. Data regarding demographics, preoperative morbidities, perioperative complications, APACHE III predictions, mortality, and lengths of stay were collected. Results Four hundred and thirty-two patients underwent esophagectomy during the study period: 123 (28.5 ) were admitted to the ICU (ICUGP) and 309 (71.5 ) were not (NICUGP). Overall mortality was 3.7 (16 of 432 patients). Fifteen of 123 in ICUGP died in hospital (12.2 ) compared with one of 309 in NICUGP. For ICUGP, mean ( tandard deviation) acute physiology and APACHE III scores were 41.8 (?6.6) and 54.5 (?8.1), respectively. Forty-seven percent of ICUGP had a new (versus pre-existing postoperative) infiltrate on chest X-ray, 21.8 had positive PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20800871 sputum/bronchial CC122 site culture and 5 positive blood culture within 48 hours of ICU admission. A total 13.8 of ICUGP had `aspiration’ documented in physician notes. The median (IQR) ICU and hospital lengths of stay were 3.6 (1.7?.9)P495 Quality of life aspects in oncologic patients who survived an intensive care unit admissionD Forte, O Ranzani, N Stape, F Gianinni, R Cordioli, D Lima, J Coelho, P Nassar, R Zigaib, E Azevedo, I Schimidtbauer, F Silva, B Cordeiro, A Toledo-Maciel, M Park University of S Paulo, Brazil Critical Care 2007, 11(Suppl 2):P495 (doi: 10.1186/cc5655) Introduction The number of organ failures in oncologic patients admitted to the ICU is a good predictor of mortality. We propose to analyze the association of this variable and quality of life (QOL) aspects in oncologic patients who survived an ICU admission.SAvailable online http://ccforum.com/supplements/11/Sand 17.0 (11.3?3.9) days, respectively. Compared with NICUGP, patients in ICUGP were more likely to have developed postoperative arrhythmia (57.9 vs 12.9 , P < 0.001), were older, of higher ASA status, and more likely to have diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, a higher cancer stage, and to have received more intraoperative blood products. Of 352 patients originally not sent to the ICU, 43 (12.2 ) were subsequently admitted to the ICU. These patients had higher APACHE III scores and were more likely to have `aspiration' documented, although their mortality was not higher than direct ICU admissions. Conclusions After esophagectomy, overall mortality is low, but many patients require ICU admission. Postoperative arrhythmias and aspiration pneumonitis are especially problematic.P498 Communication with patients during ward rounds on the intensive care unit: a prospective, observational, semiblind studyK Francis, D Langhor, J Walker, I Welters Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK Critical Care 2007, 11(Suppl 2):P498 (doi: 10.1186/cc5658) Introduction It is good medical practice to communicate with patients regarding their condition and proposed treatment. Communication is essential to allow them to express their concerns and exercise their own autonomy, in a situation where they otherwise may have little control. Poor communication may contribute to unnecessary anxiety or depression. The aim of this audit was to observe whether the doctors communicated with patients on ward rounds. Methods We audited 28 ICU ward rounds. It was noted whether the patient was sedated or not sedated, and whether they had their eyes open or closed. Negative.