Current review
Management of esophageal injuries

https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-4975(89)90101-XGet rights and content

Abstract

A multiinstitutional study of 39 esophageal injuries treated between 1982 and 1988 and a comprehensive review of the literature revealed an unacceptably high mortality rate of more than 20%. Results of the current study indicated that prompt diagnosis and aggressive surgical management of esophageal injuries could improve the outcome and lower the associated mortality. The clinical experience and literature review allowed us to elaborate caveats and principles that, if adhered to, should improve the outcome in esophageal injuries.

References (32)

  • RA Brown et al.

    Non-surgical management of spontaneous esophageal perforation

    JAMA

    (1978)
  • S Kostianan et al.

    Management of non-neoplastic esophageal perforation

    Int Surg

    (1984)
  • K Larsen et al.

    Perforations and rupture of the esophagus

    Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg

    (1983)
  • B Larsson et al.

    Advisability of concomitant immediate surgery for perforation and underlying disease of the esophagus

    Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg

    (1984)
  • JC Nesbitt et al.

    Surgical management of esophageal perforation

    Am Surg

    (1987)
  • T Radmark et al.

    Instrumental perforation of the esophagus. A ten year study from two ENT clinics

    J Laryngol Otolaryngol

    (1986)
  • Cited by (25)

    • Neglected esophageal perforation after upper thoracic vertebral fracture

      2011, Spine Journal
      Citation Excerpt :

      There are only five reported cases of thoracic esophageal perforation associated with spinal injury [7–11]. Esophageal injury in the thoracic region has significantly higher morbidity and mortality than that in the cervical spine [18,19]. This increased risk stems from the fact that the diagnosis of thoracic esophageal injury is often delayed because it lacks the obvious symptoms, such as local tenderness, crepitus, and subcutaneous emphysema, which are more frequently seen in cervical esophageal perforations.

    • Treatment of Esophageal Injury

      2008, Current Therapy of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care
    • Delayed Presentation of Thoracic Esophageal Perforation after Blunt Trauma

      2008, Journal of Emergency Medicine
      Citation Excerpt :

      The mortality rate can be as high as 70% in patients with delayed presentations (1–13). Hence, prompt recognition and aggressive treatment is considered paramount to survival (12–21). The signs and symptoms of esophageal perforation are non-specific but may include pain, fever, dyspnea, vomiting, crepitus, and shock (12,13).

    • Esophageal Trauma

      2007, Thoracic Surgery Clinics
      Citation Excerpt :

      Table 1 summarizes the different mechanisms of penetrating esophageal injuries by anatomic locations. The most common part of the esophagus that is injured from an impaling weapon-like injury is the cervical esophagus [3–5]. Like any patients who presents with a stab injury, injuries to other surrounding structures also must be investigated and ruled out.

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text