Retropharyngeal Perforation With an Esophageal Dilator: A Case Report

Esophageal "bougie" dilators are frequently used during esophageal surgeries to facilitate reconstruction and manipulation of the esophagus. Insertion of such dilators is usually a blind technique and not without risk. We present a case of retropharyngeal wall perforation resulting from esophageal dilator misplacement in a patient undergoing laparoscopic Heller myotomy and reconstruction. This case report demonstrates the importance of communication between surgery and anesthesiology teams during placement of devices into the oropharynx.