Conservative treatment in isolated penetrating cervical esophageal injury: case report

Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2012 Oct-Dec;10(4):505-7. doi: 10.1590/s1679-45082012000400019.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Non-iatrogenic traumatic cervical esophageal perforations are usually hard to manage in the clinical setting, and often require a careful and individualized approach. The low incidence of this particular problem leads to a restricted clinical experience among most centers and justify the lack of a standardized surgical approach. Conservative treatment of esophageal perforation remains a controversial topic, although early and sporadic reports have registered the efficacy of non-operative care, especially following perforation in patients that do not sustain any other kind of injuries, and who are hemodynamically stable and non-septic. We report a case of a patient sustaining a single cervical gunshot wound compromising the cervical esophagus and who was treated exclusively with cervical drainage, enteral support and antibiotics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Esophageal Perforation / surgery*
  • Esophagus / injuries*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neck Injuries / surgery
  • Wounds, Gunshot / surgery*