Endoscopic clipping of spontaneous esophageal rupture: Case reports of three patients

IntroductionSpontaneous esophageal rupture is a life-threatening condition which is difficult to diagnose early, and is usually treated surgically. Prolonged hospitalization is common. Non-operative treatment of esophageal rupture localized to the mediastinum has been reported. We report three patients with spontaneous esophageal rupture successfully managed with endoscopic clipping.Case presentationsTwo patients had ruptures localized to the mediastinum, and were discharged within one week of undergoing closure. The third patient presented with Boerhaave’s syndrome with a leak into the pleural space and needed prolonged hospitalization (34 days), but she did not need surgery and began oral intake two days after endoscopic clipping. The patient had an uneventful recovery.     

Perioperative management of a patient presenting with a spontaneously ruptured esophagus

PURPOSE: To report a case of spontaneous rupture of the esophagus and its anesthetic management. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 52-yr-old male presented with a seven day history of chest pain, respiratory distress, and swelling in the neck following forceful vomiting. Examination revealed hypotension, decreased air entry in the right lower lung field with crepitations, epigastric tenderness with abdominal distension and guarding of both right and left hypochondria. A contrast esophagogram showed extravasation of contrast material from the lower third of the esophagus into the mediastinum without pleural cavity involvement. Reinforced primary closure of a 5-cm transmural tear in the right anterolateral wall of the esophagus 5 cm above the gastro-esophageal junction was performed along with right-sided chest drainage. The anesthetic drugs and technique in this case were selected to avoid any increase in intra-abdominal pressure to prevent further spillage of gastric contents into the mediastinum through the perforation. Invasive monitoring was used to assess early hemodynamic changes and to administer fluid therapy and vasoactive drugs. Due to prolonged surgery, lung congestion, large fluid shifts, a long surgical incision and abnormal arterial blood gases, the patient was ventilated mechanically in the intensive care unit. Subsequently he developed an esophageal leak, septic shock, and multiple organ failure and died. CONCLUSION: In a patient with a spontaneous rupture of esophagus, the anesthetic considerations include avoidance of further aggravation of the esophageal tear, and resuscitation from a morbid inflammatory condition.     

Successful primary repair of late diagnosed spontaneous esophageal rupture: A case report

IntroductionSpontaneous esophageal rupture is rare, roughly 300 cases reported annually. Diagnosis is often delayed or missed. Overall mortality is about 20%. This feared high mortality rate has led to the misconception that primary esophageal repair should be avoided in late diagnosed patients. We report a successful primary repair of spontaneous esophageal rupture which was delayed for more than two weeks.MethodsA 53 year-old male presented to our medical service after falsely having been treated for pneumonia at an outside hospital. He was subsequently diagnosed with spontaneous esophageal rupture and treated with over the scope clips followed by stenting. Persistent leak into mediastinum made surgical exploration necessary. At exploration a primary repair could be performed successfully.ResultsUnsuccessful endoscopic management of esophageal perforation that was delayed for two weeks underwent primary surgical repair without complications.ConclusionPrimary closure of late diagnosed spontaneous esophageal rupture can be successful, even when it is complicated by a prolonged delay in treatment and failed endoscopic procedures. We conclude that primary surgical repair should be attempted in patients with spontaneous esophageal rupture if tissues are viable.     

Novel multimodality endoscopic closure of postoperative esophageal fistula

INTRODUCTIONEsophageal fistula following esophagectomy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe present the case of a 71-year-old man who underwent salvage Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy, following definitive chemoradiotherapy 1 year previously. On postoperative day 9 the patient complained of chest pain, and a CT scan demonstrated extravasation of oral contrast from the gastric conduit into the right chest. A right chest drain and fully covered esophageal stent were placed at this time. Despite these measures, after 8 weeks, the esophageal fistula persisted. Ultimately, fistula closure was achieved using an interventional radiology-guided, endoscopically placed over-the-scope clip (OTSC). The patient had no further complications and was well at 3 months follow-up.DISCUSSIONThe case reported herein describes this novel, combined-modality approach to esophageal fistula closure.CONCLUSIONThis case report demonstrates a novel, minimally invasive, multidisciplinary approach to the closure of a post-esophagectomy anastamotic leak.     

消化道吻合口瘘内镜微创治疗的现状及进展

吻合口瘘是消化道手术术后较为严重的并发症之一。目前内镜下治疗吻合口瘘正逐步发展,与传统外科手术相比,具有安全、微创、低治疗成本等诸多优势。治疗方式包括内镜下空肠营养管置入术、金属夹闭合术、支架封堵术、组织胶封堵术、缝合术、真空辅助闭合治疗等。其相关的特点涉及:置入空肠营养管可以有效改善患者的营养状况;经内镜钳道内镜夹联合尼龙绳圈套器治疗直径1.0 cm的吻合口瘘具有优势;外置内镜夹适用于瘘口较大、张力较大的吻合口瘘;内镜支架可以直接覆盖整个瘘口,早期控制渗漏,对于有腔道狭窄风险的患者有较高收益,但可能出现支架移位、移除困难等情况;组织胶联合内镜夹或支架有助于提高瘘口封堵成功率;内镜下缝合术用于预防支架移位安全有效;内镜下真空辅助闭合治疗能充分引流瘘口周围炎性环境,对于继发纵膈炎或胸腔内炎症的吻合口瘘患者具有更好的适用性。内镜微创治疗吻合口瘘避免了再次手术,可作为部分患者的优先治疗方式之一。     

Acute mediastinitis due to esophageal perforation —A case report—

A 55-year-old female consulted her family physician because of pharyngeal discomfort after eating a fish. She underwent rigid fiberscopy and was pointed out a fish bone. Family physician failed to extract the bone and the patient was referred to our hospital. However, there was no fish bone in the esophagus when she underwent second rigid fiberscopy. After eight days she complained of dyspnea and was referred to our hospital again. Chest X ray film showed marked enlargement of the mediastinum and she was diagnosed as acute mediastinitis. She underwent mediastinal drainage by thoracotomy. So tiny perforation was found in cervical esophagus by endoscopy that primary suture was not done. After two months’ follow up with intravenous hyperalimentation, there was still esophageal perforation. She underwent the seocnd operation of primary closure with reinforcement using sternocleidomastoid muscle. Two weeks after the second operation esophagogram still showed a fistula. So she received injections of alprostadil and factor XIII. One month after the injections esophagogram showed a diverticulum without leakage.     

Three surgically treated cases of spontaneous rupture of the esophagus with reference to a new surgical approach--eversion stripping and esophagogastrostomy through the posterior mediastinum

Three surgical cases of spontaneous rupture of the esophagus were reported. Case 1 was a 56-year-old man who was admitted 3 days after the onset was treated with open drainage. He had no complications whatsoever 8 years after the treatment. In case 2 (a 55-year-old man), eversion stripping of the esophagus and gastrostomy were performed 2 months after diagnosis, but esophageal reconstruction was not successful. He died of acute congestive heart failure 5 years after surgery. The Third case was a 60-year-old women whose rupture was confirmed 11 days after the onset. Cervical esophagostomy, gastrostomy and jejunostomy were performed 16 days after the rupture. Thereafter, esophageal eversion stripping and esophagogastrostomy through the posterior mediastinum were successfully carried out 2 months after the first surgery. She had no postoperative complications. Eversion stripping of the esophagus with esophagogastrostomy through the posterior mediastinum is an effective and safe method for some advanced cases of spontaneous esophageal rupture. We have not found any reports of surgical cases with spontaneous esophageal rupture treated by this approach in the literature.     

Clipping for endoscopic perforations: initial success but late complication requiring surgery

Introduction

This response discusses the article by Kim and colleagues entitled "endoscopic clip closure versus surgery for the treatment of iatrogenic colon perforations developed during diagnostic colonoscopy: a review of 115,285 patients". Iatrogenic colonoscopic perforation, although uncommon, implies serious management problems for endoscopists and surgeons. Nonoperative treatment currently is recommended under certain conditions, and endoscopic clips can primarily close iatrogenic perforations, helping to avoid surgery. Of the 27 colonoscopic perforation cases presented in the article by Kim and colleagues, 16 were managed by endoscopic clipping closure and 11 by primary surgery. Conservative treatment failed for three patients. Only perforation size obtained statistical significance among the nine variables contrasted between the 11 cases with primary surgery and the 13 cases with successful endoscopic clipping. The results for the three patients whose endoscopic closure failed are not reported.

Authors′ opinion

The authors of this letter think it would have been interesting if these three patients had been included in the analysis due to the high importance of discovering factors that can predict failure of endoscopic clipping for perforations.

Conclusions

To call attention to possible late complications requiring surgery even when initial conservative management of endoscopic perforation succeeds, the authors of this letter present a case of a colocutaneous (actually, sigmoid-scrotal) fistula in a patient 2 weeks after an apparently successful closure of colonoscopic perforation with an “over-the-scope” clip.     

Successful treatment of congenital esophageal web by endoscopic electrocauterization and balloon dilatation

We report a 3-year-old boy who presented with a foreign body impacted in the esophagus and had a poor tolerance of solid food since he was 5 to 6 months old. In the last 2 years, he developed progressive dysphagia, anorexia, vomiting, and poor weight gain. An esophagoscopy and barium esophagogram revealed an esophageal web in the distal third of the esophagus. Three courses of endoscopic balloon dilatation resulted in transient improvement in his dysphagia and vomiting; a follow-up barium esophagogram and esophagoscopy showed limited improvement of the esophageal stenosis. Two courses of endoscopic electrocauterization and balloon dilatation improved the clinical symptoms and esophageal stenosis.     

Endoscopic closure of a postoperative rectal anastomotic leakage with hemoclips: A case report

Introduction and importanceHemoclips have been used to protect leakage after endoscopic resection of large colorectal polyps or early-staged rectal cancer, or for perforation of the sigmoid colon during colonoscopy. However, endoscopic clips were seldom used to manage anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection of rectal cancer.Case presentationA patient with postoperative anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection for rectal cancer was successfully treated by endoscopic hemoclips under colonoscopic vision after failure of conservative treatment. Postoperative course was uncomplicated and the patient was discharged from the hospital seven days later.Clinical discussion and conclusionEndoscopic hemoclips should be considered as an alternative option for the treatment of an anastomotic leakage in cases where conservative treatment has failed. As they are safe and effective for closure, however good bowel preparation and strict inclusion criteria are required.     

Isolated esophageal atresia with spontaneous recanalization: case report

Isolated esophageal atresia is characterized by a long segment between the 2 esophageal pouches. The authors describe a case of pure esophageal atresia that showed spontaneous recanalization in the waiting period for primary esophageal anastomosis. Regurgitation of gastrostomy formula surprisingly was seen in her mouth. The patency of the esophagus was confirmed with thoracic computed tomography (CT) and an esophagogram. A strictured area in the proximal upper third of the esophagus was managed with baloon dilatation. She was discharged in normal condition, feeding by mouth, and with a normal esophagogram. This interesting event led us to speculate about a different type of pure esophageal atresia with the feasibility of the ends recanalizing after some events such as inflammation. This could be the subtype II5 of type 2 in Kluth's atlas of esophageal atresia in which they described 2 blind esophageal ends and a cyst occupying the intervening space. Another speculation about this subject is the presence of double membranes associated with esophageal atresia with a normal outer appearance of the esophagus as was first described by A. F. van Loosbroek. J Pediatr Surg 37:1210-1212.     

Anesthetic management of a patient with post-emetic rupture of the esophagus induced by a foreign body

Post-emetic spontaneous rupture of the esophagus (Boerhaave's syndrome) is still a life-threatening condition, despite recent advances in thoracic surgery and critical care medicine. Because a case report on anesthetic management of this condition is rare, we report here successful management of a 46-yr-old man with spontaneous esophageal rupture following forceful vomiting. He suddenly developed severe back pain and acute respiratory distress after vomiting during dinner and was brought to our emergency department. Examination on admission revealed an increased respiratory rate of 20 min(-1) with SpO2 97% with a facemask (O2, 3 l x min(-1)), a pulse rate of 100 min(-1), and a blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a foreign body and CT examination revealed subcutaneous emphysema. He was diagnosed as spontaneous rupture of the esophagus. Emergency T-tube drainage was therefore scheduled. After semi-awake intubation with midazolam, general anesthesia was maintained with O2 (50%), N2O, sevoflurane (2%), and vecuronium infusion. A bronchial blocker was used for one lung ventilation to facilitate thoraco-abdominal approach. A careful attention should be paid to tracheal intubation to avoid any increase in intra-abdominal pressure to prevent further spillage of gastric contents into the mediastinum through the perforation. A transmural tear in the anterior wall of the esophagus was found and the foreign body (boiled meat) was removed. The patient recovered uneventfully and could be extubated on the first day in the ICU. It should be noted that successful management of this disease depends on accurate diagnosis and appropriate choice of treatments.     

Argon plasma coagulator in a 2-month-old child with tracheoesophageal fistula

A 2?month-old boy was admitted to the authors' hospital because of regurgitation and persistent cough during breastfeeding. A chest X-ray examination and a barium esophagogram disclosed small amounts of barium passing in the trachea, suggesting a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). Bronchoscopy combined with upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy performed with the patient under general anesthesia confirmed the fistula. The TEF was treated by injection of 1?ml Glubran 2 from the esophageal side. A nasogastric tube was placed for feedings, and 7?days later, a barium esophagogram showed a reduction of caliber but not complete closure of the TEF. Unsuccessful fistula obliteration with Glubran was attributed to technical difficulties in catheterization of the fistula orifice, mainly resulting from its close proximity to the upper esophageal sphincter and to its small caliber. Therefore, an argon plasma coagulator (APC) probe with a circumferentially oriented nozzle was used from the esophageal side as an alternative technique to fulgurate the residual fistula orifice (see video). A nasogastric tube was placed for feedings. Oral feeding was started 7?days later when a barium esophagogram confirmed complete fistula closure. At the 2-year follow-up visit, the boy was asymptomatic, and the barium esophagogram was negative. This report describes a case in which esophagoscopy gave a clear view of the fistula due to its direction from esophagus to trachea. Complete fistula obliteration was not obtained with Glubran. However, APC was successfully used to close the residual fistula orifice. The authors suggest that APC can be used as an alternative endoscopic technique to repair TEF when other techniques fail.     

食管破裂与穿孔15例的临床诊治分析

目的探讨食管破裂与穿孔的诊断与治疗,提高对该疾病的诊治水平。方法总结分析我科15例食管破裂与穿孔的临床病例资料。颈段食管穿孔3例,2例为异物所致,1例为外伤所致,均手术治疗,胸段食管破裂穿孔12例,其中自发性食管破裂穿孔4例,食管异物损伤5例,外伤性食管穿孔2例,医源性损伤1例,根据食管的损伤程度及感染累及范围分别采取食管切开异物取出食管修补,食管部分切除,纵隔引流,瘘口修补等手术治疗12例。结果15例食管破裂与穿孔治愈13例;1例死于合并糖尿病因胸腔和纵隔感染严重,中毒性休克,呼吸衰竭,肾功能衰竭;1例死于食管癌引发食管破裂穿孔致感染性休克,多器官衰竭。结论根据食管破裂与穿孔的大小、时间、部位、纵膈和胸腔污染程度,早期明确诊断,及时采取合适的手术方式是治疗的关键。     

Esophagocutaneous drainage to treat late and complicated esophageal perforation.

Five patients with complicated esophageal perforation--three with spontaneous rupture, one with dehiscence after resection of a diverticulum, and one with an iatrogenic lesion--were successfully treated by esophagocutaneous drainage of the esophageal perforation. At thoracotomy, after careful debridement and cleaning of the mediastinum and pleura, a T-tube drain was placed in the esophagus through the perforation in addition to pleural drains. A feeding jejunostomy and a gastrostomy was carried out via a separate laparatomy in 4 cases. Postoperatively the patients were managed according to a protocol with subsequent removal of pleural drains, esophageal T-tube and, after esophageal healing, gastrostomy and feeding jejunostomy. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were given initially. Healing was slow but progressive and without major problems. The healing process was followed by repeated contrast swallows. In all cases the esophagus healed without residual stenosis within 8-12 weeks. This method seems to be a way to save the life and the esophagus of patients with esophageal perforations complicated by late discovery or failure of primary repair.     

Treatment of spontaneous rupture of the esophagus

A series of 10 patients with spontaneous rupture of the esophagus is analysed. Early primary closure of the tear and good drainage of the mediastinum and pleural cavity give the best results in such cases. Correct diagnosis is difficult and is often missed in the acute phase. The time lapse between the rupture and diagnosis nevertheless seems to be the most important single factor in the outlook for treatment of spontaneous rupture of the esophagus.     

Primary repair of an esophageal rupture using pleural flap

Esophageal perforation remains an important thoracic emergency. Aggressive operative therapy remains the mainstay for treatment. A case of esophageal perforation, consequent upon impacted food bolus, is presented. An 80 years old female, with multiple comorbidities, presented with dysphagia and right sided chest pain, who had a distal esophageal tear, secondary to accidental meat ball ingestion. Rigid esophagoscopy showed complete occlusion of the distal esophagus with a meat ball. Right thoracotomy was performed, which showed perforated esophagus with large meat ball protruding from it. Endoscopic removal of the food particles was done, and the rupture was repaired using a pleural flap. The entire postoperative stay was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the ninth post-operative day.     

Natural orifice transesophageal mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy: a survival series in swine

Introduction  Transesophageal endoscopic mediastinoscopy (MX) and thoracoscopy (TX) could reduce pain, eliminate intercostal neuralgia, provide better access to the posterior mediastinal compartment and pulmonary hilum, and improve cosmesis. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of transesophageal natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and to determine the complications that might be seen in surviving animals. Methods  Using cap endoscopic mucosal resection and blunt dissection, a 15–20 cm submucosal tunnel was created in the esophagus and an endoscope passed through the tunnel into the mediastinum. One swine underwent MX; three swine underwent both MX and TX. The mediastinal compartment, hilar lymph nodes, pleura, lung, and esophagus were identified. Esophageal closure was obtained via submucosal tunnel flap-valve alone (two swine) or reinforcement with mucosal clips (two swine). The esophagus, mediastinum, and thorax were examined at necropsy. The esophagus was excised and sent for pathological examination. Results  NOTES MX and TX provided excellent visualization of mediastinal and thoracic structures. Pleural biopsy was easily accomplished. All animals survived the procedure, ate well, and showed no ill effects. Swine were sacrificed at either 8 or 12 days postoperatively. At necropsy, mild atelectasis was noted in each animal. One animal (mucosal clip closure) developed a fluid collection in the submucosal tunnel. There was no evidence of mediastinitis or thoracic contamination in any animals. Conclusions  Transesophageal endoscopic mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy provide excellent visualization of mediastinal and intrathoracic structures. Pleural biopsy can be easily obtained under direct visualization. Structures that are difficult to visualize via traditional cervical mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy are seen well with this approach. The submucosal tunnel creates a flap-valve that, alone, may be sufficient for preventing esophageal leak. These procedures can be performed safely in swine with short-term survival. Further study with a larger sample size and longer survival is warranted.     

Long-term observation following perforation and rupture of the esophagus

A follow-up study of 35 patients was performed 1.5 to 22 years after simple closure and drainage of the esophagus for nonmalignant intrathoracic perforation or rupture, with special attention to dysphagia. Of the seven patients with spontaneous rupture, only one required supplementary postoperative treatment, for severe reflux esophagitis. None of the eight patients with iatrogenic lesion and no prior esophageal disorder had any dysphagia postoperatively. Postoperative swallowing problems were absent in 13 of the 20 patients with perforation caused by examination or treatment of an already diseased esophagus. Four required repeated esophageal dilation and three underwent further surgery. Simple closure and drainage of nonmalignant intrathoracic perforation or rupture of the esophagus is concluded to be a safe procedure in regard to late postoperative dysphagia.     

Spontaneous rupture and functional state of the esophagus.

Esophageal function was investigated after 1 to 8 years in five consecutive patients surviving spontaneous esophageal rupture (Boerhaave's syndrome) and treated by suturation. Only one patient was symptom free and had almost normal esophageal function as judged by manometry, 24-hour pH monitoring, endoscopy, and barium swallow. In the other four patients reflux symptoms and a severe functional disturbance of the esophagus were observed. In four patients the manometry revealed a lack of propulsive peristaltic movements and esophageal muscular incoordination (particularly in the upper part of the esophagus) closely mimicking those seen in the nonspecific esophageal motility disorder. In 24-hour intraesophageal pH monitoring a pathologic gastroesophageal reflux with long-lasting single reflux periods was observed, suggesting poor esophageal clearance. Also endoscopic and histologic signs of reflux esophagitis were seen in the same four patients. In contrast, lower esophageal sphincter pressure was normal in all five survivors. It is concluded that patients with spontaneous esophageal rupture have a severe disturbance of esophageal motility. The concomitant reflux esophagitis may be caused primarily by the esophageal motility disturbance, which may also contribute to the origin of the rupture.