Pleural empyema: An unusual presentation of esophageal perforation.
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A 67-year-old patient presented with pleural empyema as the sole manifestation of thoracic esophageal perforation, 2 weeks after accidental fish bone ingestion. Nonspecific chest pain and general deterioration, unusual presenting symptoms in themselves, accounted for the extreme delay in the diagnosis. The empyema was treated surgically, and the esophageal perforation conservatively. Despite the poor prognostic factors, the patient recovered completely after 50 days in hospital. (+info)
Airway injury during anesthesia: a closed claims analysis.
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BACKGROUND: Airway injury during general anesthesia is a significant source of morbidity for patients and a source of liability for anesthesiologists. To identify recurrent patterns of injury, the authors analyzed claims for airway injury in the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Closed Claims Project database. METHODS: The ASA Closed Claims database is a standardized collection of case summaries derived from professional liability insurance companies closed claims files. All claims for airway injury were reviewed in depth and were compared to other claims during general anesthesia. RESULTS: Approximately 6% (266) of 4,460 claims in the database were for airway injury. The most frequent sites of injury were the larynx (33%), pharynx (19%), and esophagus (18%). Injuries to the esophagus and trachea were more frequently associated with difficult intubation. Injuries to temporomandibular joint and the larynx were more frequently associated with nondifficult intubation. Injuries to the esophagus were more severe and resulted in a higher payment to the plaintiff than claims for other sites of airway injury. Difficult intubation (odds ratio = 4.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.36, 8.71), age older than 60 yr (odds ratio = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.51, 5.87), and female gender (odds ratio = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.09, 5.42) were associated with claims for pharyngoesophageal perforation. Early signs of perforation, e.g., pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema, were present in only 51% of perforation claims, whereas late sequelae, e.g., retropharyngeal abscess and mediastinitis, occurred in 65%. CONCLUSION: Patients in whom tracheal intubation has been difficult should be observed for and told to watch for the development of symptoms and signs of retropharyngeal abscess, mediastinitis, or both. (+info)
The accuracy of gastric insufflation in testing for gastroesophageal perforations during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.
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BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is an effective technique for the symptomatic relief of the manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disorder but is associated with a 0.8-1% rate of gastroesophageal perforation. Early detection and repair of these injuries is critical to patient outcome, but occult injuries occur and may be missed. Gastric insufflation technique evaluates the integrity of the gastroesophageal wall after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Gastric insufflation technique involves occlusion of the proximal stomach with a noncrushing bowel clamp while insufflating the submerged gastroesophageal junction. We conducted an animal study to assess the utility of gastric insufflation technique. METHODS: Five pigs (mean weight, 40.4 kg) underwent testing of laparoscopic gastric insufflation technique. In four animals, laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was performed and then gastroesophageal junction injuries were created (3-5 mm distraction-type wall injuries). Non-crushing bowel clamps provided occlusion of the pylorus and then the proximal stomach during gastroesophageal insufflation. The gastroesophageal junction was then submerged. In the fifth animal, gastric insufflation technique was repeated while calibrated injuries were created to determine the smallest detectable injury. An injury was considered detectable if rising air bubbles were noted from the submerged gastroesophageal structures. Maximal luminal pressures needed to detect injuries were recorded with an in-line manometer. RESULTS: In all animals, 5-7 mm injuries of the gastroesophageal junction were easily detected using gastric insufflation technique when the proximal stomach was occluded. When the pylorus alone was occluded, detection of gastroesophageal injuries was inconsistent. Small injuries (<3 mm) of the esophagus were difficult to visualize with pyloric occlusion alone but were consistently detectable with proximal stomach occlusion at pressures less than 20 mm Hg. When the pylorus alone was occluded, the smallest detectable stomach perforation was a 16-gauge needle puncture while applying maximal gastric pressure (40-60 mm Hg) and a 2.5 mm linear injury when generating lower pressures (20 mm Hg). CONCLUSION: Proximal stomach occlusion and insufflation appears to effectively detect esophageal injuries of likely clinical importance (>2.5 mm). Pyloric occlusion and insufflation reliably evaluates the anterior stomach for injury. Gastric insufflation technique is a useful method for detecting gastroesophageal injury after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. (+info)
Spontaneous oesophageal perforation due to mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis - atypical presentation of tuberculosis.
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Spontaneous non-traumatic oesophageal perforation secondary to bursting of a mediastinal tuberculous abscess into the oesophagus is rare. The diagnosis is delayed, as perforation remains localised due to mediastinal lymph nodes. Patient can be effectively managed by paraoesophageal drainage of the mediastinal abscess and oesophageal diversion. (+info)
Oesophageal perforation following perioperative transoesophageal echocardiography.
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Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is being used more often by cardiothoracic anaesthetists for the perioperative management of cardiac problems. Reports of iatrogenic oesophageal perforation by instrumentation of the oesophagus are increasing. Although TOE is considered safe, it may be more risky during surgery, because the probe is passed and manipulated in an anaesthetized patient. It may be in place for several hours so the risk of mucosal pressure and thermal damage is increased. Patients on cardiopulmonary bypass are also fully anticoagulated. We describe a case of oesophageal perforation following insertion of the TOE probe in a patient with gross cardiomegaly. Oesophageal distortion by cardiac enlargement may increase the risk of oesophageal perforation. Difficulty in passage of the TOE probe should be regarded with suspicion and withdrawal should be contemplated because the symptoms of oesophageal perforation are often delayed and non-specific. Delay in investigation, diagnosis and treatment will increase morbidity and mortality. (+info)
Esophageal perforation associated with profound shock successfully managed with hemodynamic assistance using percutaneous cardiopulmonary support.
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A 51-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with complaints of severe chest pain, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms had progressed rapidly and he was in shock. It was necessary to make a correct diagnosis as early as possible. However, the hemodynamic condition of the patient deteriorated rapidly before a definitive diagnosis could be established in spite of conventional therapies. Under hemodynamic assistance with percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS), a final diagnosis of esophageal perforation was made by esophagography. Our report illustrates a new application of PCPS for highly selected cases of noncardiogenic shock as a "bridge" until an accurate diagnosis is made and a specific treatment is applied. (+info)
Boerhaave syndrome: report of a case treated non-operatively.
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An unique case of Boerhaave's Syndrome is presented in which the patient survived without any surgical treatment. We believe that this was due to non-contamination of the mediastinal and pleural cavities as shown by serial contrast roentgenograms of the esophagus. (+info)
Esophageal perforation in a sword swallower.
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We present the case of a 59-year-old man who sustained an esophageal perforation as a result of sword swallowing. An esophagogram established the diagnosis, and surgical repair was attempted. However, 19 days later, a persistent leak and deterioration of the patient's condition necessitated a transhiatal esophagectomy with a left cervical esophagogastrostomy. The patient recovered and has resumed his daily activities at the circus, with the exception of sword swallowing. This case report presents an unusual mechanism for a potentially lethal injury. Our search of the English-language medical literature revealed no other report of esophageal perforation resulting from sword swallowing. Management of such an injury is often difficult, and a favorable outcome is dependent on prompt diagnosis and treatment. (+info)