Barogenic perforation of the esophagus: An unusual manifestation / Perforación barogénica del esófago: una presentación inusual

Abstract Introduction: Typically, when esophageal perforation secondary to barotrauma is mentioned as the causal pathophysiological mechanism of perforation, the literature refers to spontaneous esophageal perforation or Boerhaave syndrome as an entity. It involves the longitudinal and transmural rupture of the esophagus (previously healthy) secondary to an abrupt increase in intraluminal esophageal pressure, frequently triggered during vomiting. However, in the medical literature, some reports list mechanisms of barotrauma other than this entity. Case report: A 64-year-old female patient with a history of surgically managed gastric adenocarcinoma (total gastrectomy and esophagoenteral anastomosis) presented with stenosis of the esophagojejunal anastomosis, which required an endoscopic dilatation protocol with a CRETM balloon. The third session of endoscopic dilation was held; in removing the endoscope, we identified a deep esophageal laceration with a 4 cm long perforation at the level of the middle esophagus (8 cm proximal to the dilated anastomosis), suspecting the mechanism of barotrauma as the causal agent. She required urgent transfer to the operating room, where we performed thoracoscopic esophagectomy, broad-spectrum empiric antimicrobial coverage, and enteral nutrition by advanced tube during in-hospital surveillance. The control esophagram at seven days showed a small leak over the anastomotic area, which was managed conservatively. Imaging control at 14 days showed a decrease in the size of the leak, with good evolution and tolerance to the oral route. The patient was later discharged.

Resumen Introducción: típicamente, cuando se menciona la perforación esofágica secundaria a barotrauma como el mecanismo fisiopatológico causal de la perforación, la literatura se refiere a la perforación esofágica espontánea o síndrome de Boerhaave como entidad, la cual hace referencia a la ruptura longitudinal y transmural del esófago (previamente sano) secundaria a un aumento abrupto de la presión intraluminal esofágica, que se desencadena frecuentemente durante el vómito. Sin embargo, en la literatura médica existen algunos reportes que mencionan otros mecanismos de barotrauma diferentes a esta entidad. Reporte de caso: se presenta el caso de una paciente de 64 años con antecedente de adenocarcinoma gástrico manejado quirúrgicamente (gastrectomía total y anastomosis esofagoenteral), quien presentaba estenosis de anastomosis esofagoyeyunal, que requirió un protocolo de dilatación endoscópica con balón CRETM. Se llevó a una tercera sesión de dilatación endoscópica, en la que durante la extracción del endoscopio se identificó una laceración esofágica profunda con perforación de 4 cm de longitud a nivel del esófago medio (8 cm proximal a anastomosis dilatada), y se sospechó del mecanismo de barotrauma como agente causal. Requirió traslado urgente a sala de cirugía, en la que se realizó esofagorrafia por toracoscopia, cubrimiento antimicrobiano empírico de amplio espectro y nutrición enteral por sonda avanzada durante la vigilancia intrahospitalaria. El esofagograma de control a los 7 días mostró una pequeña fuga sobre el área anastomótica, la cual se manejó de manera conservadora. El control imagenológico a los 14 días evidenció una disminución del tamaño de la fuga, con una evolución satisfactoria y tolerancia a la vía oral, y posteriormente se dio el egreso.

Colgajo muscular de esternocleidomastoídeo para el manejo de perforación esofágica tardía: reporte de dos casos / Muscle flap of sternocleidomastoid for the management of late esophageal perforation: report of two cases

Resumen Introducción: La perforación esofágica es una complicación poco frecuente en la cirugía de columna cervical por vía anterior, sin embargo, puede tener graves consecuencias cuando hay demoras en diagnóstico y tratamiento. Casos Clínicos: Presentamos dos casos clínicos de pacientes con perforación esofágica secundaria a cirugía de columna cervical por vía anterior. Se usaron para su reparación colgajo muscular de esternocleidomastoideo (ECM). Conclusión: La perforación esofágica secundaria a cirugía de columna cervical es poco frecuente, variable desde el punto de vista clínico, el TC y estudio radiológico contrastado son fundamentales en el diagnóstico de esta patología. El colgajo muscular ECM en estos casos es una herramienta fiable y extremadamente útil debido a sus características anatómicas, fácil disección quirúrgica y baja morbilidad asociada.

Introduction: Esophageal perforation is a rare complication in cervical spine surgery by anterior way, however it can have serious consequences when there are delays in diagnosis and treatment. Cases Report: We present two clinical cases of patients with esophageal perforation secondary to cervical spine surgery by anterior way. Sternocleido-mastoid muscle flaps were used for repair. Conclusion: Esophageal perforation secondary to cervical spine surgery is rare, clinically variable, CT and radiologic study are fundamental in the diagnosis of this pathology. The Sternocleidomastoid muscle flap in these cases is a reliable and extremely useful tool due to its anatomical characteristics, easy surgical dissection and low associated morbidity.

Perforación esofágica durante el monitoreo intraoperatorio con ecocardiografía transesofágica. Reparación en el mismo acto quirúrgico / Esophageal injury secondary to transesophageal ecocardiography monitoring and repair

Monitoring with intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) has proven to be a tool of very high utility for both control of the hemodynamic status, cardiac function and to make new diagnoses. It is a minimally invasive technique and, like any medical procedure, it is not exempt from complications that do not exceed 1%. These range from mild oropharyngeal lesions to the most serious lesion, esophageal perforation. We describe a case of esophageal perforation from the esophagogastric junction to the middle third of the esophagus in the intraoperative period of laparoscopic Nissen surgery. The injury was repaired immediately and the closure of the lesion was verified with pneumatic maneuvers through the nasogastric tube. The patient was discharged after 35 days

El monitoreo con Ecocardiografía Transesofágica intraoperatorio (ETE) ha demostrado ser una herramienta de muy alta utilidad tanto para control del estado hemodinámico, función cardíaca y para realizar nuevos diagnósticos. Se trata de una técica seiinvasiva y como todo procedimiento médico no está exento de complicaciones que no superan al 1%. Estas son desde lesiones leves orofaríngeas hasta la lesión más grave que es la perforación esofágica. Se describe un caso de perforación esofágica con desgrarro de éste desde la unión esofagogástrica hacia el tercio medio del esófago en el íntraoperatorio de cirugía de Nissen laparoscópico. La reparación de la injuria se realizó en forma inmediata y se comprobó con maniobras neumáticas a través de la sonda nasogástrica el cierre de la lesión. La paciente fue dada de alta a los 35 días.

Perforación esofágica cervical tardía por rotura y desplazamiento de placa de artrodesis cervical anterior / Delayed cervical esophageal perforation by rupture and displacement of anterior cervical arthrodesis plaque

Resumen Introducción: La perforación esofágica es una posible complicación de la artrodesis cervical anterior. Sin embargo, estas suelen ocurrir intraoperatoriamente o en el posoperatorio precoz. Caso clínico: Mujer de 35 años sometida, 3 años antes, a artrodesis de C3-C5, que tras sufrir un traumatismo leve con latigazo cervical, comienza con disfagia. Se objetiva un absceso retroesofágico por perforación esofágica, causado por rotura de la placa protésica y extrusión de un tornillo.

Introduction: Esophageal perforation is a possible complication after anterior cervical fusion. However, these complications usually appear intraoperatively or in the early postoperative course. Case report: A 35-years-old females, who underwent a C3-C5 anterior cervical fusion 3 years ago, after suffering a mild cervical trauma, she complained of dysphagia. A retroesophageal abscess was observed, caused by esophageal perforation, secondary to plaque rupture and screw extrusion.

Abordagem vídeo-toracoscópica, sem sutura, das perfurações do esôfago torácico diagnosticadas tardiamente / Video-thoracoscopic approach, without suture, of late thoracic esophageal perforations

RESUMO Objetivos: avaliar a utilização da vídeo-toracoscopia, no tratamento das perfurações tardias do esôfago torácico, sem sutura ou ressecção do órgão. Métodos: análise retrospectiva de pacientes com diagnóstico tardio (>12 horas) de perfuração do esôfago torácico tratados por vídeo-toracoscopia, sem sutura ou ressecção do órgão, num período de 15 anos. Resultados: foram operados 16 pacientes, sendo dez homens e seis mulheres, com idades entre 48 e 66 anos e com tempo entre o diagnóstico da perfuração e a cirurgia variando entre 16 e 26 horas. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a vídeo-toracoscopia, com decorticação pulmonar, abordagem das loculações pleurais, abertura da pleura mediastinal junto ao local da perfuração e desbridamento dos tecidos desvitalizados, seguido por dupla drenagem da cavidade pleural. Não foi realizada sutura ou ressecção esofagiana, e os pacientes evoluíram com fechamento completo das lesões, sem óbitos. Conclusão: a abordagem cirúrgica vídeo-toracoscópica mostrou-se capaz de controlar a infecção pleural, a expansão pulmonar e possibilitar a completa regeneração do esôfago com perfuração diagnosticada tardiamente.

ABSTRACT Objectives: to evaluate the use of video-thoracoscopy, in the treatment of late perforations of the thoracic esophagus, without suture or organ resection. Methods: retrospective analysis of patients with late diagnosis (> 12 hours) of thoracic esophageal perforation treated by video-thoracoscopy, without suture or organ resection, over a 15-year period. Results: sixteen patients were operated on, ten men and six women, aged between 48 and 66 years, with time between the diagnosis of the perforation and the surgery ranging from 16 to 26 hours. All patients underwent video-thoracoscopy, with pulmonary decortication, pleural loculations approach, opening of the mediastinal pleura near the perforation site and debridement of the devitalized tissues, followed by double drainage of the pleural cavity. No esophageal suture or resection was performed, and the patients evolved with complete closure of the lesions, without deaths. Conclusion: the video-thoracoscopic surgical approach was able to control pleural infection, pulmonary expansion and enable complete regeneration of the esophagus with late-diagnosed perforation.

Impacto del tratamiento de pacientes con perforación esofágica aguda en la supervivencia / Impact of the treatment of patients with acute esophageal perforation in survival

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal, de serie de casos, de 35 pacientes con perforación esofágica, egresados del Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Provincial Docente Clinicoquirúrgico "Saturnino Lora Torres" de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 1990 hasta septiembre de 2014, con vistas a caracterizarles según variables epidemiológicas, clínicas y terapéuticas de interés. En la serie predominaron el cuerpo extraño de difícil extracción (42,8 %), la localización torácica (51,4%) y el tratamiento quirúrgico en todos los pacientes. Por otra parte, se empleó la sutura del esófago reforzada en los afectados con menos de 24 horas de evolución y el drenaje del mediastino y la mediastinoclisis por esternotomía media en aquellos con más de 24 horas, con lo cual se disminuyó la mortalidad en 50 % respecto al drenaje y al desbridamiento simple del mediastino. Se concluye que el tratamiento quirúrgico precoz es fundamental para mejorar la supervivencia y que la exclusión esofágica terminal en el cuello, así como el lavado del mediastino mediante la utilización de mediastinoclisis, resultan efectivos en los pacientes con mediastinitis aguda por esta causa.

A descriptive and cross-sectional serial cases study, of 35 patients with acute esophageal perforation, discharged from the General Surgery Service of "Saturnino Lora Torres" Teaching Clinical Surgical Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out, from January, 1990 to September, 2014, aimed at characterizing them according to the epidemiologic, clinical and therapeutic variables of interest. In the series the strange body of difficult extraction (42.8%), thoracic localization (51.4%) and surgical treatment prevailed in all the patients. On the other hand, the reinforced esophagus suture was used in those affected with less than 24 hours of natural course and mediastinal cavity drainage and mediastinoclysis by median sternotomy in those with more than 24 hours of natural course, which diminished in 50% the mortality regarding the drainage and simple mediastinal cavity debridement. It was concluded that early surgical treatment is vital to improve the survival and terminal esophageal exclusion in the neck, as well as mediastinal cavity wash by means of mediastinoclysis, are effective in the patients with acute mediastinitis due to this cause.

Perforación esofágica por cuerpo extraño / Esophageal perforation by foreign body

Presentamos un caso de perforación esofágica por cuerpo extraño. Las causas de perforación esofágica pueden clasificarse en: instrumentales, espontáneas, quirúrgicas, traumáticas y cuerpos extraños. La perforación esofágica es una situación grave con alto índice de morbimortalidad debido a su difícil diagnóstico y falta de consenso pleno en su tratamiento. La clínica es polimorfa e inespecífica y el diagnóstico requiere alto grado de sospecha. La mortalidad oscila entre 10 y 40%.

We report a case of esophageal foreign body perforation. The causes of esophageal perforation can be classified into: instrumental, spontaneous, surgical, trauma and foreign bodies. Esophageal perforation is a serious condition with high morbidity and mortality rates due to its difficult diagnosis and lack of full consensus on treatment. The clinic is polymorphous and unspecific and diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Mortality ranges from 10 to 40%.

Evaluation of urgent esophagectomy in esophageal perforation / Avaliação da esofagectomia de urgência na perfuração esofágica

BACKGROUND: Esophageal trauma is considered one of the most severe lesions of the digestive tract. There is still much controversy in choosing the best treatment for cases of esophageal perforation since that decision involves many variables. The readiness of medical care, the patient's clinical status, the local conditions of the perforated segment, and the severity of the associated injuries must be considered for the most adequate therapeutic choice. AIM: To demonstrate and to analyze the results of urgent esophagectomy in a series of patients with esophageal perforation. METHODS: A retrospective study of 31 patients with confirmed esophageal perforation. Most injuries were due to endoscopic dilatation of benign esophageal disorders, which had evolved with stenosis. The diagnosis of perforation was based on clinical parameters, laboratory tests, and endoscopic images. ‪The main surgical technique used was transmediastinal esophagectomy followed by reconstruction of the digestive tract in a second surgical procedure. Patients were evaluated for the development of systemic and local complications, especially for the dehiscence or stricture of the anastomosis of the cervical esophagus with either the stomach or the transposed colon. RESULTS: Early postoperative evaluation showed a survival rate of 77.1% in relation to the proposed surgery, and 45% of these patients presented no further complications. The other patients had one or more complications, being pulmonary infection and anastomotic fistula the most frequent. The seven patients (22.9%) who underwent esophageal resection 48 hours after the diagnosis died of sepsis. At medium and long-term assessments, most patients reported a good quality of life and full satisfaction regarding the surgery outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the morbidity, emergency esophagectomy has its validity, especially in well indicated cases of esophageal perforation subsequent to endoscopic dilation for ...

RACIONAL: O trauma de esôfago é considerado uma das lesões mais graves do trato digestivo. O tratamento de escolha para casos de perfuração esofágica ainda é controverso, visto que esta decisão envolve inúmeras variáveis. As condições clínicas do paciente, as condições locais no segmento do esôfago perfurado, a gravidade das lesões associadas e o tempo de atendimento são essenciais para que a equipe cirúrgica possa instituir o tratamento adequado. OBJETIVO: Demonstrar e analisar os resultados da esofagectomia de urgência em uma série de pacientes com perfuração do esôfago. MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo incluindo 31 pacientes com confirmação diagnóstica de perfuração esofágica. A maior parte das lesões foi consequente à dilatação endoscópica de afecções benignas do esôfago que evoluíram com estenose. O diagnóstico da perfuração foi baseado em parâmetros clínicos, exames laboratoriais, radiológicos e endoscopia digestiva alta. A principal técnica cirúrgica utilizada foi a esofagectomia transmediastinal seguida da reconstrução do trânsito digestivo em um segundo tempo cirúrgico. Os pacientes foram avaliados em relação ao desenvolvimento de complicações sistêmicas e locais, notadamente deiscência e estenose da anastomose do esôfago cervical com o estômago ou cólon transposto. RESULTADOS: A avaliação pós-operatória precoce demonstrou sobrevida de 77,1% em relação ao ato cirúrgico proposto, sendo que 45% não apresentou qualquer complicação. Os outros pacientes apresentaram uma ou mais complicações, sendo a infecção pulmonar e a fístula anastomótica as mais frequentes. Sete pacientes (22,9%) evoluíram a óbito por quadro séptico. Tais pacientes foram submetidos à ressecção esofágica após 48 horas do diagnóstico da perfuração. Na avaliação a médio e longo prazo, a maioria dos pacientes relatou estar satisfeito com o ato cirúrgico, referindo boa qualidade de vida. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar da morbidade não desprezível, a esofagectomia de urgência tem ...

Gastroplasty for Esophageal Perforation after Endoscopic Balloon Dilatation for Achalasia: Two Cases

Esophageal perforation after endoscopic forceful pneumatic dilatation for achalasia is a devastating complication and surgical treatment is necessary. A 65-yr-old man and a 54-yr-old woman referred for esophageal perforation two hours after pneumatic dilatation and during the procedure, respectively. Gastroplasties through thoracotomy were performed in both cases and their recoveries were uneventful. The esophagogram with gastrografin on the post-operative 8th day did not show any passage disturbance or leakage at the anastomosis site. On the follow-up endoscopy 4 to 6 months after operation revealed that reflux esophagitis of LA classification A were noted in the both patients. They did not complain any reflux symptom or dysphagia for 9 to 13 months after operation. Instead of the most widely used procedure; primary repair of perforation site, wrapping with intercostal muscle flap and esophagomyotomy, gastroplasty was performed in two cases of iatrogenic esophageal perforation in achalasia and experienced good results.

Efficacy of surgical versus conservative treatment in esophageal perforation: a systematic review of case series studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of surgical treatment for esophageal perforation. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed. We conducted a search strategy in the main electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase and Lilacs to identify all case series. RESULTS: Thirty three case series met the inclusion criteria with a total of 1417 participants. The predominant etiology was iatrogenic (54.2%) followed by spontaneous cause (20.4%) and in 66.1% the localization was thoracic. In 65.4% and 33.4% surgical and conservative therapy, respectively, was considered the first choice. There was a statistically significance different with regards mortality rate favoring the surgical group (16.3%) versus conservative treatment (21.2%) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment was more effective and safe than conservative treatment concerning mortality rates, although the possibility of bias due to clinical and methodological heterogeneity among the included studies and the level of evidence that cannot be ruled out.

Prótesis esofágica autoexpansible para tratamiento de síndrome de Boerhaave: a propósito de un caso / Self-expanding esophageal stent for treatment of Boerhaave syndrome: report of a case

La perforación esofágica espontánea (PEE) o síndrome de Boerhaave es una entidad poco frecuente, consiste en la ruptura del esófago no relacionada con traumatismos, exploraciones invasivas, patología esofágica previa o cuerpos extraños. Independientemente de su mecanismo de producción, la perforación esofágica se considera como la más grave del tracto digestivo. Si su diagnóstico y reparación quirúrgica se retrasan, el pronóstico se ensombrece de forma notable. Presentamos un caso de paciente masculino de 37 años, sin antecedentes de interés que consulta a emergencia por cuadro brusco de dolor epigástrico irradiado a región retroesternal, posterior a vómito de contenido alimentario. El paciente presenta progresivamente deterioro de sus condiciones ventilatorias, que ameritan traslado a UCI y 72 horas posterior a ingreso a UCI se realizó esofagograma con bario evidenciándose extravasación de medio de contraste en tercio distal esofágico, aproximadamente 3 cm por encima de hemidiafragma izquierdo, por lo que de inmediato se decide colocación de stent metálico parcialmente cubierto Wilson-Cook (Evolution) bajo visión endoscópica y fluoroscópica, con resolución completa de la sintomatología

Spontaneous esophageal perforation (SEP) or Boerhaave syndrome is a rare entity that consists in the rupture of the esophagus unrelated to trauma, invasive examinations, previous esophageal disease or the presence of foreign bodies. Regardless of its mechanism, esophageal perforation is considered the most serious of the digestive tract. If diagnosis and surgical repair are delayed the outlook worsens considerably. We present the case of a 37-year-old male patient in good health, who attends the emergency room because of sudden onset of epigastric pain radiating to the retrosternal region after vomiting. The patient´s ventilatory condition deteriorated progressively meriting transfer to the intensive care unit; 72 hours after admission, a barium esophagram showed dye extravasation in the distal esophagus, approx 3 cm above the left diaphragm. We immediately decided to place a Wilson-Cook partially covered metal stent (Evolution) through endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance with complete resolution of symptoms

Conservative treatment in isolated penetrating cervical esophageal injury: case report / Tratamento conservador de ferimento penetrante isolado do esôfago cervical: relato de caso

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.

Ferimentos traumáticos do esôfago não iatrogênicos são de difícil manejo clínico e requerem condutas individualizadas e cuidadosas. Frente à baixa incidência dessa afecção, a maioria dos centros não possui experiência suficiente para a definição de uma conduta padronizada para o manejo de tais lesões. O tratamento conservador da perfuração do esôfago permanece um tema controverso, embora relatos mais recentes tenham documentado sua eficácia, especialmente após a perfuração, em pacientes que não apresentam outras lesões associadas, instabilidade hemodinâmica ou sinais de sepse. É apresentado aqui o caso de um paciente com ferimento por projétil no esôfago cervical tratado exclusivamente com manejo conservador, tendo sido realizados drenagem da lesão, suporte nutricional por meio de sonda nasoenteral e antibioticoterapia, com evolução satisfatória.

Ruptura espontânea do esôfago: síndrome de Boerhaave / Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus: boerhaave's syndrome

Boerhaave's syndrome, the spontaneous rupture of the esophagus, is associated with a 35% death rate. Perforated esophagus is a surgical emergency; it is the most serious, and frequently the most rapidly lethal, perforation of the gastro-intestinal tract. Three cases of Boerhaave's syndrome are presented, with their variants and resolutions. Treatment and outcome are largely determined by the time of presentation. We reviewed our experience with esophageal perforations to determine the overall mortality and whether the time of presentation should influence management strategy.

O retalho pleural na perfuração do esôfago torácico / The pleural wrap in the thoracic esophageal perforation

The thoracic esophageal perforations frequently complicate with fistula when submitted to primary suture. The use of autogenous tissues, like pleura, to reinforce the primary suture has proved to be useful in reduce the incidence of fistulas or at least the severity of the leaks in case they occur. The mortality has reduced too, consequently. A case of an extensive esophageal perforation is presented, where the use of pleural wrap to reinforce the esophagorrafy was very important to contain the leak and to permit a good evolution of the patient.

[Lateral esophagostomy with thoracic drainage in treatment of esophageal perforation]

Esophageal perforation is a true emergency caused by instrumentation, spontaneous rupture known as Boerhaave syndrome, foreign bodies, and trauma. For patients with an early diagnosis [less than 24 hours], the primary repair is performed and in case of delayed diagnosis the end esophagostomy with thoracic drainage and tube jujunostomy is the treatment of choice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical technique of lateral esophagostomy with thoracic drainage in treatment of esophageal perforation. This cross-sectional study was performed based on information derived from three patients admitted to the emergency ward of Shahid Rajaei hospital in Qazvin with the diagnosis of esophageal perforation who underwent lateral esophagostomy with thoracic drainage and tube jujunostomy. Three patients with esophageal perforation caused by foreign bodies or Boerhaave syndrome underwent surgery with lateral esophagostomy, thoracic drainage, and tube jujunostomy technique. Following surgery, the patients were transferred to ICU and all recovered. This study confirms that patients with esophageal perforation, who undergo lateral esophagostomy, thoracic drainage, and tube jujunostomy, make a good recovery soon after a simple and short duration surgery without invasive surgical procedure

Uso de colgajos musculares en las perforaciones traumáticas del esófago / Use of muscular flaps to repair traumatic esophageal perforations: report of two cases

The management of esophageal perforations is variable, ranging from conservative management to esophageal excision. Muscular flaps are used specially when there are associated lesions in trachea or aorta. We report two patients managed using this last technique. A 31 years old woman that received a gun shot in the neck that was operated, repairing two tracheal and two esophageal perforations. The patient had to be reoperated 28 days later, due to a dehiscence of the esophageal suture. A muscular flap was used to repair the lesion with a good postoperative evolution. A 17 years old male that received a gunshot in the left supraclavicular region. Eight days later, he was operated, draining a right empyema and repairing an esophageal perforation using a muscular flap. The patient had a good postoperative evolution.

Las perforaciones del esófago, especialmente las de manejo tardío, representan un dilema y un reto para el cirujano. El manejo de las perforaciones tardías ha sido controversial y las opciones terapéuticas incluyen desde manejo conservador y simple drenaje hasta la resección del esófago. Se presentan 2 casos de perforaciones esofágicas producidas por proyectil de arma de fuego referidos a los 28 y 8 días respectivamente. En ambos se realizó reparación primaria reforzada con colgajo muscular.

Perforaciones y rupturas del esófago torácico y abdominal: rol de la sutura primaria / Perforations and ruptures of the thoracic and abdominal esophagus: role of primary suture

Introducción: Las perforaciones y rupturas del esófago torácico y abdominal son afecciones muy graves que se presentan en la urgencia y conllevan altas tasas de morbimortalidad, por la sepsis que se instala rápidamente y un diagnóstico frecuentemente tardío. A pesar de existir una falta de consenso sobre la técnica de reparación a emplear, existe una tendencia creciente a considerar a la sutura primaria como la técnica más efectiva. Objetivo: Presentar nuestra experiencia resaltando la ventaja de la sutura primaria como la técnica de reparación, independientemente del tiempo trnscurrido entre la perforación y el tratamiento. Lugar de aplicación: Hospital Público nacional asociado a Universidad estatal. Diseño: Retrospectivo, observacional. Población: Se presentan 27 pacientes con perforaciones y rupturas del esófago torácico y abdominal; 1 en esófago superior, 6 en tercio medio y 20 en esófago inferior y abdominal. Material y Métodos: De los 27 pacientes, 12 se debieron a dilataciones, 7 fueron supturas espontáneas, 7 por cuerpo extraño y 1 lesión quirúrgica. Se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico en 25 pacientes y conservador para 2. Se efectuaron 19 suturas primarias, 4 exclusiones bipolares y 2 esofagectomías. Resultados: La mortalidad global fue del 18,5% (5/27) y la de los pacientes suturados fue del 5,26% (1/19). Conclusiones: La perforación al igual que la ruptura del esófago torácico y abdominal producen una elevada morbimortalidad. En nuestra experiencia, la sutura primaria fue la técnica más empleada y la preconizamos para tratar a estos pacientes, independientementes del tiempo transcurrido entre la injuria y la intervención quirúrgica.