Table 3. Outcomes.

	Control (N = 11)	Combination therapy (N = 6)	p value
Mechanical ventilation (days)	4.2 ± 0.3	2.0 ± 0.0	<0.001
Re-intubation	1 (9)	0 (0)	1.000
Tracheotomy	1 (9)	0 (0)	1.000
Intensive care unit length of stay (days)	6.9 ± 0.9	3.2 ± 0.3	0.009
Postoperative complications
Acute respiratory distress syndrome	1 (9)	0 (0)	1.000
Anastomotic leakage	3 (27)	2 (33)	1.000
Pneumonia	5 (45)	2 (33)	1.000
Recurrent nerve palsy	4 (36)	1 (17)	0.600

The values are expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean or the number (percent).