Instrumental perforation of the esophagus.
Instrumental perforation of the esophagus occurred in a 55-year-old man who underwent esophagoscopy. The complication occurred when the esophagoscope broke during the procedure to remove a bolus of food. After the scope was withdrawn and examined, a defect was seen in its side where a weld on the light carrier had broken, causing a ribbon of mucosa and muscularis to be impinged in this defect. The esophagus was reexamined with a new esophagoscope. A nasogastric tube was passed into the stomach, and antibiotics were administered. Although the dangers of endoscopy are well documented and are decreasing, complications occur in up to 1% of the cases. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment, regardless of the site of perforation, continue to be the critical factors in reduction of the morbidity and mortality of this iatrogenic injury.
D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004947:Esophagus; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged