Management of blunt and penetrating external esophageal trauma

The records of 26 patients with external blunt or penetrating esophageal trauma were reviewed to determine clinical features and results of therapy. Twenty-one injuries (four blunt, 17 penetrating) were to the cervical esophagus, and five to the thoracic esophagus. Major physical signs included subcutaneous air, neck hematoma, and blood in the nasogastric tube. Helpful roentgenographic findings were cervical and/or mediastinal air, mediastinal widening, pleural effusion, and pneumothorax (15%). Nine of 12 (75%) contrast studies and five of six (83%) esophagoscopies were positive. Twenty-four patients had associated injuries, the most common of which was tracheal (14 patients) (64%). All patients were managed by prompt surgical exploration, primary closure, and drainage. There were three early deaths. Thirteen patients had postoperative complications, four of which were esophageal leaks. Two of the leaks caused mediastinitis, pleural sepsis, and led to death. They were not treated by early esophageal exclusion or excision. There were no significant strictures or esophageal sequelae in the other patients. It is concluded that early primary closure and drainage results in a relatively high incidence of survival. If a thoracic esophageal leak occurs, aggressive management of prompt esophageal exclusion or excision is necessary to control sepsis and improve survival.