[Esophageal Injury Treated with a Covered Expandable Metallic Stent]

We report a case of iatrogenic esophageal injury treated with a covered expandable metallic stent after thoracoscopic chest drainage. A 70-year-old man who had stricture of the esophagus after endoscopic submucosal dissection underwent balloon dilation. Chest computed tomography revealed esophageal rupture. Initially, continuous intra-esophageal drainage was carried out, however, due to the development of mediastinitis with enlarged abscess around the descending aorta and the left pneumothorax, thoracoscopic chest drainage was performed. Since direct closure was thought to be in appropriate, an intra-esophageal approach was chosen and a covered expandable metallic stent was mounted under fluorography on the next day. After the treatment, the patient was able to eat, and was able to discharge 42 days later. Intra-esophageal covered expandable metallic stent can be an alternative treatment for esophageal rupture.