PS01.110: ACUTE NECROTIZING ESOPHAGITIS WITH ESOPHAGUS PERFORATION, TREATED BY THORACOSCOPIC ESOPHAGECTOMY

Abstract

Abstract Background Acute necrotizing esophagus is defined as the diffuse black pigmentation of the esophagus due to the necrosis of the esophageal mucosa, and so called ‘black esophagus’ from its endoscopic findings. The prevalence is only 0.001∼0.2%, although the mortality rate is up to 32%. Methods 67 years old female with medical history of diabetes mellitus, transported to the emergency room with hematemesis and conscious disorder. She had suffered from nausea and epigastralgia for two days. Her general status was in shock vitals and didn’t respond to rehydration. After intubation, emergency endoscopic examination revealed black pigmentation of the esophageal mucosa and diagnosed as acute necrotizing esophagitis. Antibiotics and blood absorption therapy had been started and the patient gradually stabilized. 1 week after the admission, esophagus perforation was suspected from the significant increase of the right pleural effusion and free air at the esophagus wall and the mediastinum on CT scan. Emergency thoracoscopy was performed and found that the esophagus was edematous and adventitia was colored into black. The esophagectomy with esophagostomy and enterostomy was performed. Results On resected specimen, mucosal necrosis was found only on squamous epithelium with three perforating areas in the middle to lower thoracic esophagus. No signs of inflammation nor ischemia was found on the gastric mucosa of the esophagogastric junction. After the operation, patient recovered generally well, except the severe stenosis of the cervical esophagus had developed. Although endoscopic dilation had been constantly performed, the reconstruction remains unsolved issue. Conclusion In acute necrotizing esophagitis, stabilization of the patient's condition by treating comorbid diseases is extremely important. Improving the nutritional status in addition to the administration of antacids and antibiotics is also required. Surgical intervention should be performed when perforating mediastinitis or abscess formation occurs. Primary closure shouldn’t be attempted, and esophageal resection with delayed reconstruction should be considered in addition to drainage. In this case, we could successfully rescued the patient with necrotic esophagitis by performing surgical intervention promptly. It is important to detect the esophagus perforation and mediastinitis early, not to miss the chance of surgical intervention for curative treatment. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.