The management of nonmalignant intrathoracic esophageal perforations

Eight patients with nonmalignant intrathoracic esophageal perforations recognized more than 48 hours (48 hours to 14 days) after rupture were treated at Toronto General Hospital between 1973 and 1978. Perforation was due to postemetic rupture in 7 patients and to instrumentation in 1. The patients were seen with pain (8), vomiting (7), fever (7), shock (4), respiratory insufficiency (5), pleural effusion (7), pulmonary infiltrates (7), and leukocytosis (6). All patients were managed with thoracotomy. Direct suture closure of the perforation was carried out in 4 patients with midesophageal perforations. Postoperative localized leaks developed in 2 of these patients but healed with conservative management. Cervical esophagostomy and esophageal diversion were used in 1 patient in whom a severe empyema developed in the postoperative period. Direct suture closure, reinforced with a gastric patch, was used to close three lower esophageal perforations. None of these patients had a postoperative leak but all developed subsequent reflux esophagitis. All 8 patients survived. In patients with delayed recognition of a nonmalignant intrathoracic esophageal perforation, elimination of continued chemical and bacterial contamination can be achieved by a clear definition and closure of the esophageal mucosal margins. The obliteration of potential pleural spaces by good tube drainage, lung decortication, and the elective use of mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure decreases the incidence of uncontrolled intrapleural sepsis.