Conservative treatment in isolated penetrating cervical esophageal injury: case report.

Abstract

Non-iatrogenic traumatic cervical esophageal perforations are usually hard to manage in the clinical setting, and often require a careful and individualized approach. The low incidence of this particular problem leads to a restricted clinical experience among most centers and justify the lack of a standardized surgical approach. Conservative treatment of esophageal perforation remains a controversial topic, although early and sporadic reports have registered the efficacy of non-operative care, especially following perforation in patients that do not sustain any other kind of injuries, and who are hemodynamically stable and non-septic. We report a case of a patient sustaining a single cervical gunshot wound compromising the cervical esophagus and who was treated exclusively with cervical drainage, enteral support and antibiotics.

• Authors: Marina Gabrielle Epstein, Sara Venoso Costa, Filipe Gusmão Carvalho, Aline Fioravanti Pasquetti, Herico Arsie Neto, Pamella Tung Pedroso, Cesar Augusto Simões, Jaques Pinus, Marcelo Augusto Fontenelle Ribeiro Junior
• Journal: Einstein (Sao Paulo, Brazil) (Einstein (Sao Paulo)) 2012 Oct-Dec Vol. 10 Issue 4 Pg. 505-7 ISSN: 2317-6385 [Electronic] Brazil
• PMID: 23386094 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Esophageal Perforation (surgery)
• Esophagus (injuries)
• Humans
• Male
• Neck Injuries (surgery)
• Wounds, Gunshot (surgery)