Diagnosis and Treatment of Traumatic Perforation of the Esophagus. Report of 38 Cases

VernacularTitle:损伤性食管穿孔的诊断和治疗(附38例报告)
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Perforation of esophagus
From:Chinese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 1995;0(05):-
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Traumatic perforation of the esophagus is relatively uncommon, but it is usually associated with high mortality even if the perforation is surgically repaired in the early stage. This article presents the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic perforation of the esophagus in 38 patients from Feb, 1966 to Aug, 1993. The perforation was caused by foreign bodies in 23(60.5%), trauma in 8(21%) and iatrogenesis in 7 (18.4%). In 12 patients, the perforation of the esophagus was surgically repaired successfully in 11 cases(91.7%). In 18 late cases, only surgical drainage was instituted and in another 8 cases conservative measures were adopted. The over-all survival rate in this group of patients was 76.3% (29/38) and mortality rate was 23.7%(9/38). The authors emphasize that early diagnosis and timely management are the most important factors for increasing the survival rate. The type of treatment should be chosen according to the duration of perforation, presence or absence of complicaions and patients's general condition.