Late presentation of esophageal rupture following blunt thoracic trauma

Abstract

Esophageal rupture following blunt thoracic trauma is extremely rare. A 30-year-old man sustained a road traffic accident causing blunt thoracic trauma that resulted in lower esophageal rupture. He presented 24 h after the initial trauma and was managed with primary repair and aggressive lavage with a drainage procedure. Early identification and repair of esophageal rupture is vital for preventing mediastinitis, but an aggressive surgical and postoperative management strategy can prevent mortality even in late presentations.