Surgery Definition – What is esophageal perforation?
Surgery Definition – What is esophageal perforation?
The causes of esophageal perforation may include sharp foreign bodies, iatrogenic effect such as during sclerotherapy or due to rigid esophagoscopy, corrosive such as alkali or acid, infection, trauma or carcinoma. Patient with perforation of the esophagus may present with odynophagia, dysphagia, dyspnea and retrosternal chest pain. There will be irregular pulse, pericardial rub and pleural rub. The ECG investigation may reveal arrhythmias. Chest x ray may present with air in mediastinum which is characterized by black vertical shadows around cardiac silhouette. Gastrogaffin swallow may present with the vision of contrast existing esophagus at the sites of perforation. Gastrogaffin is preferred than barium as barium may increase the risk of developing mediatinitis.
The treatment of esophageal perforation may include nil by mouth, intravenous fluid, nasogastric tube and proton pump inhibitors given. Regular monitoring of the vital signs is important. Open repair is required in case of large or small perforation.
The causes of esophageal perforation may include sharp foreign bodies, iatrogenic effect such as during sclerotherapy or due to rigid esophagoscopy, corrosive such as alkali or acid, infection, trauma or carcinoma. Patient with perforation of the esophagus may present with odynophagia, dysphagia, dyspnea and retrosternal chest pain. There will be irregular pulse, pericardial rub and pleural rub. The ECG investigation may reveal arrhythmias. Chest x ray may present with air in mediastinum which is characterized by black vertical shadows around cardiac silhouette. Gastrogaffin swallow may present with the vision of contrast existing esophagus at the sites of perforation. Gastrogaffin is preferred than barium as barium may increase the risk of developing mediatinitis.
The treatment of esophageal perforation may include nil by mouth, intravenous fluid, nasogastric tube and proton pump inhibitors given. Regular monitoring of the vital signs is important. Open repair is required in case of large or small perforation.
