Esophageal Injury Following Anterior Cervical Plate Fixation

ABSTRACT

We report five patients of esophageal injuries confirmed by clinical signs and radiological evidences. They include a partial tear and a perforation which were not noticed during the operation, a perforation which was primarily repaired during the operation, and two perforations which occurred during the reoperations for the removal of mal-positioned screws or plate. The partial tear was not repaired. The perforation which occurred during the operation was primarily sutured and didn't receive further treatment. Two perforations which occurred during the reoperations were treated by irrigation, debridement with surgical drainage, and systemic antiobiotics. One who was diagnosed later after the operation showed the poorest outcome and required longest hospital days among our series. Early detection and appropriate treatment of esophageal injury following anterior spinal surgery can only improve the prognosis by preventing secondary complications.