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Updated: Oct 26, 2025

An Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy Designed to Minimize Anastomotic Complications and Optimize Conduit Function
Published on: April 17, 2020
The dark side of the esophagus
Daniela Martins1, Rita Marques1, Pedro Costa1
1Centro Hospitalar de Trás-Os-Montes e Alto Douro, Departamento de Cirurgia Geral, Vila Real, Portugal.
Abstract:
Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN), also known as "black esophagus," is an entity characterized by the circumferential black appearance of esophageal mucosa, usually associated with hypoperfusion and gastric outlet obstruction. This entity has a reported prevalence of up to 0.2%, affecting predominantly elderly men with multiple comorbidities. Most cases resolve with conservative treatment with no need of surgical intervention. However, the overall prognosis is poor, with mortality reaching one-third of cases due to the patient's underlying illness. In this article we present three cases of patients with AEN.
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