Anastomotic esophageal leak due to Taenia saginata following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Abstract

A 50-year-old female with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower third of the esophagus underwent an esophagectomy via laparotomy and right thoracotomy. She developed a major anastomotic leak on the third postoperative day. The chest tube slipped out on the 10th postoperative day and a segment of Taenia saginata tapeworm came out through the tube drain site and was extracted. She was given praziquantel tablets treatment; after which the leakage dropped dramatically and ceased completely after one week. Patients scheduled for esophagectomy who experienced recurrent abdominal pain in areas endemic with a tapeworm need to be screened for taeniasis before surgery.

• Authors: Reem M Baleela, Mohamed Y Huessain, Mohamed E Ahmed
• Journal: Saudi medical journal (Saudi Med J) Vol. 27 Issue 2 Pg. 241-3 (Feb 2006) ISSN: 0379-5284 [Print] Saudi Arabia
• PMID: 16501685 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (surgery)
• Esophageal Diseases (etiology)
• Esophageal Neoplasms (surgery)
• Esophagectomy
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications
• Taenia saginata
• Taeniasis (complications)