Abstract
Esophageal perforation (EP) is a critical and potentially life-threatening condition with considerable rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite many advances in thoracic surgery, the management of patients with EP is still controversial. We retrospectively reviewed 34 patients treated for EP, 62% male, mean age 53.9 years. Sixty-two percent of the EPs were iatrogenic. Spontaneous and traumatic EP rates were 26% and 6%, respectively. Three patients had EP in the cervical esophagus and 31 in the thoracic esophagus. Mean time to initial treatment was 34.2 hours. Twenty patients comprised the early group <24 h) and 14 patients the late group (>24 h). Management of the EP included primary closure in 30 patients, non-surgical treatment in two, stent in one and resection in one. Mortality occurred in nine of the 34 patients (26%). Mortality was EP-related in four patients. Three of the nine patients that died were in the early group (p<0.05). Mean hospital stay was 13.4 days. EP remains a potentially fatal condition and requires early diagnosis and accurate treatment to prevent the morbidity and mortality.
Highlights
Since esophageal perforation (EP) was originally described more than 50 years ago, the diagnosis has been challenging, its management is controversial and mortality is high [1]
The clinical course of EP essentially depends on the location and the extent of the injury as well as the time elapsing between the perforation and the start of the treatment [2]
Primary surgical repair is the treatment of choice in early diagnosed EP
Summary
Since esophageal perforation (EP) was originally described more than 50 years ago, the diagnosis has been challenging, its management is controversial and mortality is high [1]. The clinical course of EP essentially depends on the location and the extent of the injury as well as the time elapsing between the perforation and the start of the treatment [2]. Primary surgical repair is the treatment of choice in early diagnosed EP. Surgical treatment of old or recurrent EP, is associated with local and systemic sepsis, which is often accompanied by significant morbidity and mortality [3]. The aim of this report is to review the diagnostic examination, treatment and outcomes of 34 patients with EP
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
