Endoscopic management of esophageal discontinuity

• Published in: Head & neck 2015-09, Vol.37 (9), p.E103-E105
• Main Authors: Chang, Edward T., Ruhl, Douglas S., Kenny, Patrick R., Sniezek, Joseph C., Irish, Jonathan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; endoscopic transillumination; Endoscopy, Digestive System; Esophageal Stenosis - diagnosis; Esophageal Stenosis - etiology; Esophageal Stenosis - surgery; esophageal transection; esophagogastroduodenoscopy; esophagoscopy; Esophagoscopy - methods; Esophagus - injuries; Esophagus - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease; Intraoperative Complications - diagnosis; Intraoperative Complications - surgery; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery - methods; panendoscopy; Recovery of Function; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Thyroidectomy - adverse effects; Thyroidectomy - methods; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1043-3074; 1097-0347
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.23883

Background The management of esophageal discontinuity remains challenging and often involves complex reconstructive surgeries. Methods and Results We describe a unique and successful treatment of esophageal discontinuity using a modification of the natural orifice translumenal surgery (NOTES) approach in a patient presenting with long‐standing esophageal discontinuity resulting from an iatrogenic esophageal injury. Conclusion This case provided an opportunity to affirm the efficacy of endoscopy for treating esophageal discontinuities to minimize the degree of morbidity and mortality normally associated with the surgical treatment of this type of injury. Our case reveals a novel and possibly more direct means of evaluating and treating esophageal injuries in which the degree of discontinuity and/or stenosis initially remains unknown. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: E103–E105, 2015