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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Conservative therapy for missed esophageal perforation after blunt trauma.

An 80-year-old man was treated, non-operatively, for a distal esophageal perforation, diagnosed nine days after blunt thoracic trauma. Emergency department diagnosis was impeded by absence of mediastinal air; right chest-wall emphysema was thought to result from associated rib fractures. Conservative therapy consisting of nasogastric suction, intravenous antibiotics, right-chest tube drainage of a large communicating empyema cavity, temporary nasotracheal intubation with ventilatory support, total parenteral nutrition, and, finally, nasoduodenal intubation for elemental feeding were employed. This mode of therapy may be best in comparable elderly patients with esophageal perforation that is overlooked during the initial 24 hours after injury. Possibly, routine barium swallow in all patients with chest-wall emphysema and rib fractures would circumvent missed esophageal rupture after blunt trauma.

Aged↗

Improved survival in children with esophageal perforation.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cause, location, signs and symptoms, presence of underlying disease, time interval to diagnosis, treatment, and morbidity and mortality in 24 children (19 boys and 5 girls) with esophageal perforation who were treated from 1975 to 1995. DESIGN: Data were collected retrospectively from hospital and office records. SETTING: A tertiary care children's hospital. RESULTS: The average age at diagnosis was 58 months (range, 1 day to 19 years). Fourteen children had underlying esophageal disease (atresia, n = 7 and gastroesophageal reflux, n = 7). Iatrogenic perforations occurred in 17 children: 8 during dilatation, 5 during an antireflux procedure, 2 during endoscopy, and 2 after passage of a feeding tube. Trauma was the cause of perforation in 6 children. In 2 cases the cause was unknown. Perforation occurred in the thoracic esophagus in 12 cases, abdominal esophagus in 7, cervical esophagus in 5, and involved both the thoracic and abdominal esophagus in 1. Signs and symptoms included dysphagia (15 patients), dyspnea (14), fever (12), cyanosis (8), abdominal pain (6), chest pain (5), and subcutaneous emphysema (3). Management of esophageal perforation included nonoperative management (7 patients), drainage alone (1), primary closure (16), and resection and diversion (1). Two perforations occurred in 1 child. Complications occurred in 11 (44%) of the 25 cases and were more common after delayed diagnosis (73%). The average hospital stay was 20 days. There was 1 death (4%) attributed to esophageal perforation. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity and mortality are directly related to delays in diagnosis and therapy. Most cases of esophageal perforation in children can be closed primarily and the esophagus salvaged despite delayed presentation. The mortality rate in children with esophageal perforation (4%) is significantly less than that for adults (25%-50%).

Adolescent↗

Spontaneous esophageal perforation related to a duodenal ulcer with pyloric stenosis: report of a case.

This report describes a case of spontaneous esophageal perforation that was considered to be etiologically related to a duodenal ulcer with pyloric stenosis. The patient was a 54-year-old Japanese man who presented following the sudden onset of severe abdominal pain and dyspnea after an episode of vomiting. He had a history of duodenal ulcer. Computed tomography revealed an extremely dilated stomach containing abundant food residue, intraabdominal effusion, bilateral pleural effusion, and mediastinal emphysema, findings that strongly suggested esophageal perforation. Esophagoscopy confirmed perforation of the lower esophagus. Laparotomy revealed marked contamination, including food residue in the abdominal cavity, and a severely dilated stomach attributed to pyloric stenosis caused by a duodenal ulcer. A 2-cm longitudinal perforation was found on the right side of the lower esophagus. Because the patient's general condition was too poor to tolerate a one-stage operation (primary closure of the perforation, gastrectomy, and reconstruction), we initially performed decompression gastrostomy and control of the esophageal leakage with T-tube placement. Following the T-tube was removed 1 month later, distal gastrectomy and reconstruction of the gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II method) could be safely performed.

Digestive System Surgical Procedures↗

Unsuspected esophageal perforation in association with chronic peptic stricture.

A case of vomiting-induced perforation of the lower esophagus proximal to a chronic peptic stricture is described. The patient had a remarkably benign course and conservative management resulted in complete cure. Criteria for nonoperative management of esophageal perforation are outlined. Esophageal injury due to retained pills, we believe, contributed to occurrence of this syndrome.

Aged↗

One-stage operation for treatment after delayed diagnosis of thoracic esophageal perforation.

Perforation of the thoracic esophagus can be fatal unless diagnosed promptly and treated effectively. The high mortality with delayed treatment is principally due to the inability of effectively closing the perforation and preventing the leakage. We operated one patient with a delayed diagnosis of thoracic esophageal perforation developed after a rigid esophagoscopic procedure. The perforation was closed with primary sutures and reinforced with a intercostal muscle flap wrap. Radical decortication and wide mediastinal and pleural toilet were also done. Total parenteral nutrition was begun and antibiotics were administered according to the results of cultures. Esophagography and esophagoscopy performed 10 days after the operation showed a well healed esophagus without stenosis or leakage. We conclude that primary closure of the perforation and muscle flap wrap can provide a one-stage operation with good results for repair of thoracic esophageal perforations which are not diagnosed on time.

Adult↗

Esophageal perforation in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is an inherited mechanobullous disease characterized by skin blistering and esophageal bullae. In response to minor trauma, a split in the dermis or esophageal subepithelium occurs. Esophageal perforation is a rare complication. Because the esophagus is diseased in these patients, we believe that esophagectomy rather than repair is the treatment of choice for esophageal perforations. We report a patient for whom early primary repair failed and esophagectomy was required.

Adult↗

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis associated with esophageal perforation.

We report a rare case of esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis with lower esophageal stricture which perforated into the peritoneal cavity after the patient vomited. A 61-year-old man was admitted with severe chest and epigastric pain after dysphagia and vomiting. Under a diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal perforation, laparotomy was performed. The anterior wall of the abdominal esophagus was found to have ruptured, and proximal gastrectomy with abdominal esophagectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis with esophageal stricture distal to the site of rupture, and postoperative endoscopy showed diffuse pseudodiverticulosis in the remaining esophagus. The patient is free of symptoms 5 years after the surgery. This case suggests that careful treatment may be indicated in patients with esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis with stricture and elevated intraluminal pressure, to minimize the possibility of severe complications such as esophageal perforation.

Diverticulum, Esophageal↗

Esophageal perforation complicating with spinal epidural abscess, iatrogenic or secondary to first thoracic spine fracture?

A 49-year-old drunken man was involved in a motorbike crash. He presented with cervical spine injury and multiple limbs fracture. Neuro-imaging demonstrated disruption of the C5-6 anterior longitudinal ligament, herniation of C3-4 and C5-6 discs, and Th1 compression fracture. The neurological deficits improved after anterior cervical decompression, fusion and fixation. One week later, he suffered from fever and severe upper back pain, and he developed paraplegia subsequently. The following image study disclosed esophageal perforation at the level of Th1 and epidural abscess spreading from levels Th1 to Th5. After proper management and rehabilitation, he achieved good recovery one year later at follow-up. We report the unique case of Th1 fracture with esophageal perforation complicated with spinal epidural abscess. The possible mechanism and the controversy concerning therapy for esophageal perforation are discussed.

Cervical Vertebrae↗

Esophageal perforation in a sword swallower.

We present the case of a 59-year-old man who sustained an esophageal perforation as a result of sword swallowing. An esophagogram established the diagnosis, and surgical repair was attempted. However, 19 days later, a persistent leak and deterioration of the patient's condition necessitated a transhiatal esophagectomy with a left cervical esophagogastrostomy. The patient recovered and has resumed his daily activities at the circus, with the exception of sword swallowing. This case report presents an unusual mechanism for a potentially lethal injury. Our search of the English-language medical literature revealed no other report of esophageal perforation resulting from sword swallowing. Management of such an injury is often difficult, and a favorable outcome is dependent on prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Surgical management of esophageal perforation.

When there is a delay in recognition of esophageal perforation, defunctionalization of the esophagus may promote healing. Defunctionalization is accomplished by loop cervical esophagostomy and banding of the lower esophagus at the gastroesophageal junction.

Esophageal Perforation↗

[Pharyngeal and esophageal perforations in newborn infants].

In three newborn infants pharyngeal or esophageal perforations were due to injury caused by the obstetrician's finger in the infant's mouth to help deliver the head, by orogastric feeding tube, or by endotracheal tube. They all had in common respiratory distress and right-sided pneumothorax. The patients were treated medically with antibiotics, antifungal therapy and total parenteral nutrition. All perforations healed without surgical repair.

Birth Injuries↗

Esophageal perforation in a patient with metastatic breast cancer to esophagus.

Esophageal metastasis from breast cancer is rare and can present after a long latency period. The middle and distal third of the esophagus are the most common sites and dysphagia (with or without stricture) is the most common presentation. Because of predominantly submucosal involvement, diagnosis is often difficult to establish until significant complications arise. We present the case of a patient with esophageal perforation due to dilatation treatments for dysphagia secondary to a distal stricture, later proven to be caused by esophageal metastasis from a breast cancer treated 19 years earlier.

Aged↗

Successful management of esophageal perforation diagnosed 3 days after injury caused by an explosion in the workplace: report of a case.

We report a case of esophageal perforation caused by an explosion, but which was not diagnosed until 3 days after the injury. A 53-year-old worker sustained superficial dermal burns to his trachea, face, neck, and legs during an explosion. The burns were treated conservatively at a local hospital, but he was transferred to our hospital 3 days after the injury, when mediastinal emphysema and bilateral pleural effusion became evident. An esophagogram followed by computed tomography showed an esophageal perforation caused by the blast injury, and we performed an esophagectomy with recontruction of the gastric tube. After the operation, an X-ray showed a foreign body in the lower abdomen, which we found in the upper thoracic esophagus on the day of injury. We surmised that the patient had inadvertently swallowed a foreign body, which had been heated and scattered by the explosion, and it had melted the upper thoracic esophagus.

Blast Injuries↗

Successful management of a nonmalignant esophageal perforation with a coated stent.

This case report details our experience in the management of an iatrogenic perforation that recurred after two surgical repairs. A self-expanding coated stent was eventually placed to seal the esophageal perforation with significant improvement in the clinical condition of the patient. At 1-year follow-up, the patient is tolerating an oral diet with no evidence of esophageal leak or gastroesophageal reflux. This case report and a literature review suggest that self-expanding coated stents may be a useful salvage option in the management of inveterate nonmalignant esophageal perforations.

Adult↗

[Esophageal perforation by alkalis--a case report with conservative therapy].

In May 1993, a 59-year-old woman attempting suicide with toilet detergent (1% sodium hydroxide) was hospitalized as an emergency case. She developed sudden high fever (38-39 degrees C) on the 26th admission day. Thereafter diagnosis of left pyothorax due to perforation on caustic esophageal ulcer was made. Subsequent to thoracentesis continuous dranage of the left thoracic cavity ceased the fever after three days. Oral intake began on the 28th and extubation of the dranage was done on the 42nd after admission. Following hospital course of the patient was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 111th day after admission. Esophagofluoroscopy taken at 6 months after discharge revealed no esophageal stenosis, and the patient returned to full social activities in good health.

Drainage↗

Esophageal perforation after pneumatic dilatation for achalasia: why?

UNLABELLED: A retrospective study was performed to asses risk factors in patients with esophageal achalasia undergoing pneumatic dilatation. Of 140 patients who underwent 159 dilatations, 7 sustained esophageal perforation (4.4%). They were matched with a group of 52 non perforated, dilated achalasia patients. History of prior pneumatic dilatation and small esophageal diameter were found to be risk factors by chi square and ANOVA. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Pneumatic dilatation for esophageal achalasia is a procedure with 4.4% risk of perforation and 0.6% mortality rate. 2) The risk of developing an esophageal perforation is increased by previous pneumatic dilatation and small esophageal diameter. Another risk factor such as a possible anatomical weakness of the esophageal wall (and the likelihood of it being evaluated by ultrasonography) at the site of perforation is suggested.

Adult↗

The management of non-neoplastic esophageal perforation.

The clinical features, management and prognosis of non-neoplastic esophageal perforation are evaluated in a clinical series of 29 patients. Five of 12 spontaneous ruptures were caused by vomiting after alcoholic intake. There were 12 iatrogenic perforations, five of which were caused by esophageal dilatation, four by diagnostic endoscopy and three by endoscopic removal of foreign bodies. Most cases were diagnosed by esophagogram. The delay in reaching the right diagnosis was less than 12 hours in 11 cases and more than 48 hours in ten cases. Management was surgical in 25 cases and conservative in four cases. The operative procedures used were direct suture closure in 15 cases, drainage in eight cases and esophageal resection in two cases. The overall mortality rate was 24%. Ten out of 11 perforations treated surgically within 12 hours of the perforation were cured and seven of 15 patients treated by primary closure recovered without complications.

Adult↗

Esophageal perforation during left atrial radiofrequency ablation: Is the risk too high?

OBJECTIVE: Intraoperative radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation (IRAAF) is a recently developed procedure being performed in an increasing number of patients. We have performed left atrial IRAAF in 387 patients since August 1998. The purpose of this article is to describe a serious complication of this procedure, namely IRAAF-induced esophageal perforation, in detail to identify possible risk factors. METHODS: Left atrial IRAAF was performed with a commercially available unipolar probe as an isolated procedure (n = 129) or in combination with mitral valve surgery (n = 163) or other surgical procedures (n = 95). Operations were performed either through a conventional sternotomy or right minithoracotomy. RESULTS: Four (1%) patients had esophageal perforation after radiofrequency ablation. All 4 patients presented after an initially unremarkable postoperative course, with sudden neurologic symptoms from esophagoatrial air embolization occurring in 3 of the patients. Three patients were successfully treated with extensive esophageal resection, and one died from massive air embolism. All perforations occurred in patients undergoing minimally invasive IRAAF. Comparison with other patients undergoing isolated minimally invasive IRAAF (n = 129) failed to reveal any reliable predictors of esophageal injury, including patient body size, operating times, or radiofrequency biophysical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Left atrial IRAAF is associated with a small but definite risk of esophageal perforation. Unfortunately, we were unable to identify any risk factors for this life-threatening complication. A high degree of vigilance must be maintained for esophageal injury after IRAAF, particularly in patients with new neurologic deficits. Until safer methods of ablation are developed, we currently recommend against the use of IRAAF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Adult↗