Isolated Esophageal Injury Following Blunt Thoracic Trauma: A Rarity

Abstract

Esophageal injury following blunt trauma to chest is an extremely rare event, with only a limited number of cases being reported in the world literature. We report a case of perforation of the lower thoracic esophagus following a crush injury to the chest in a 14year old child. An appropriately placed chest drain and decompression gastrostomy resulted in complete resolution of the esophageal leak within four weeks. This case report demonstrates that a conservative approach to lower thoracic esophageal perforations can be carried out successfully without the added morbidity of thoracotomy and risks of direct repair.

Gastroenterol Res. 2009;2(5):307-308
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/gr2009.10.1317