Blunt Traumatic Esophageal Injury: Decreased Mortality With Urgent Repair

Abstract

Esophageal injuries in the setting of trauma are rare, with an incidence of .001 % in the setting of blunt chest trauma. The duration of time from injury to repair is the main factor that influences the high mortality and morbidity rates of esophageal injury secondary to blunt trauma. This paper presents a case of esophageal injury secondary to blunt trauma resulting from a 25 foot fall. The patient presented three hours after the injury with esophageal perforation noted on CT scan. The patient then underwent prompt surgical repair. It is of paramount importance for investigators to maintain a high index of suspicion for esophageal perforation in poly-trauma patients presenting with blunt chest injury as a missed diagnosis can lead to worse outcomes and limited repair options for patients.

Blunt esophageal injury in the setting of multitrauma: A case report

“…These aforementioned lesions can be fatal due to digestive fluid spreading surrounding structures when there is a puncture in the esophageal wall which causes infection and organ damage [1] . The mortality risks of blunt and penetrating esophageal injuries are equivalent ( P = .65) [3] . Diagnosing esophageal injuries is still challenging, with high mortality (10%-20%) [1 , 2] .…”

Treatment of an esophageal perforation in a high-risk elderly patient: A novel use of a through-the-scope suturing system

“…There was no apperent infection in the neck or mediastinum and no further intervention was needed for source control. Unfortunately the patient deceased on POD 28 due to ventilator pneumonia 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 .…”