Letter to the Editor

Successful Treatment for a Delay-diagnosed Esophageal Perforation with Deep Neck Infection, Mediastinitis, Empyema, and Sepsis

Authors: Liang-Tsai Wang, MD, Shih-Chun Lee, MD, Ching Tzao, PhD, Hung Chang, PhD, Yeung-Leung Cheng, PhD

Abstract

To the Editor:


Perforation of the esophagus is a formidable challenge. Successful therapy for esophageal perforation depends on the length of the perforation itself, the time elapsed between rupture and diagnosis, and the underlying health of the patient. Location and size of the perforation, delayed diagnosis, and delay in initiating treatment are the main factors contributing to poor survival rates.1 Here we describe our experience of successful treatment for a delayed esophageal perforation, due to an ingested fish bone, complicated with severe comorbidities.

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References

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2. Sharland MG, McCaughan BC. Perforation of the esophagus by a fish bone leading to cardiac tamponade. Ann Thorac Surg 1993;56:969–971.
 
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