Esophageal Stab Wounds Repaired Endoscopically: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review

Esophageal injuries are typically iatrogenic after endoscopic/surgical procedures, but they are rarely caused by penetrative or blunt trauma. We present a case of patient who suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck and underwent surgical repair for hemorrhagic shock but was ultimately diagnosed and treated successfully via endoscopy for a thoracic esophageal injury. Early detection is imperative and usually diagnosed via contrast studies but less commonly via direct visualization endoscopically. Moreover, endoscopic treatment is also less commonly utilized, even if diagnosed from that modality. Cervical injuries also confer a lower mortality than thoracic injuries.