Short- and Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients with Benign Esophageal Perforation

Abstract

Background Esophageal perforation is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In addition to surgical treatment, endoscopic endoluminal stent placement and endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) are established methods in the management of this emergency condition. As health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is becoming a major issue in the evaluation of any therapeutic intervention not much is known about HRQoL, particular in the long-term follow-up of patients treated for benign esophageal perforation with different treatment strategies. Methods Patients treated for benign esophageal perforation at the University Hospital Cologne from January 2003 to December 2014 were included. Primary outcome and management of esophageal perforation were documented and long-term quality of life was assessed using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI), the Health-Related Quality of Life Index (HRQL) for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) questionnaires for general and esophageal cancer specific QoL (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OES18). . Results 58 patients were included in the study. Based on primary treatment patients were divided into an endoscopic (n = 27; 46.6%), surgical (n = 20; 34.5%) and conservative group (n = 11; 19%). Short- and long-term outcome, as well as quality of life were compared. HRQoL was measured after a median follow-up of 49 months HRQoL was generally reduced in patients with benign esophageal perforation. Endoscopically treated patients showed the highest GIQLI overall score and highest EORTC general health status, followed by the conservative and the surgical group. Conclusion HRQoL in patients with benign esophageal perforation is reduced even in the long-term follow-up. Temporary stent or EVT is effective and provides a good alternative to surgery not only in the short-term but also in the long-term follow-up.