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Published on: November 8, 2024
[Esophageal perforation by osteosynthesis material after ventral spondylodesis of the cervical spine]
C A Müller1, P C Strohm, U Pfister
1Abteilung für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe. cmueller@ch11.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Abstract:
Esophageal perforation after cervical spine surgery is a rare complication. Based on the case of a 77-year-old female patient with a late, asymptomatic esophageal perforation after a ventral spondylodesis of the cervical spine, the symptoms, diagnostics, and therapy of this complication are discussed. The therapy of choice is the operation. Nonoperative therapy should only be chosen--like in our case--for special indications. An esophageal perforation with symptoms should be treated operatively. Our patient was treated conservatively in consideration of her age and missing symptoms.
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