Successful treatment of acute esophageal necrosis caused by intrathoracic gastric volvulus: report of a case

Surg Today. 2009;39(12):1068-72. doi: 10.1007/s00595-008-3983-4. Epub 2009 Dec 8.

Abstract

Gastric volvulus is a potentially lethal condition. We report a case of esophageal hiatal hernia with strangulation of the esophagus and stomach caused by gastric volvulus. A 79-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital in a state of shock, and investigations showed necrotic changes in most of her distal esophagus and gastric body. Thus, we performed an emergency total gastrectomy and transhiatal esophagectomy, followed 3 months later by successful reconstruction of the esophagus using the jejunum. Occasionally, a large hiatal hernia accompanies gastric volvulus; however, the extent of esophageal necrosis observed in this patient is very unusual. Although a large hiatal hernia is usually a chronic disorder, surgical treatment is recommended, considering the risk of serious complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Critical Illness
  • Emergency Treatment
  • Esophagectomy / methods
  • Esophagus / pathology*
  • Esophagus / surgery
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastrectomy / methods
  • Hernia, Hiatal / complications
  • Hernia, Hiatal / diagnosis*
  • Hernia, Hiatal / surgery
  • Humans
  • Jejunum / transplantation*
  • Necrosis / etiology
  • Necrosis / pathology
  • Necrosis / surgery
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Stomach Volvulus / complications
  • Stomach Volvulus / diagnosis*
  • Stomach Volvulus / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome