title: Incidence and management of laser-associated oesophageal perforation.
abstract: The incidence of oesophageal perforation in 350 patients referred for laser treatment to palliate malignant dysphagia is reported. Perforation occurred in 6 per cent of patients or 2 per cent of treatment episodes. Perforation was usually due to oesophageal dilatation undertaken before laser treatment (23 of 25 perforations). Immediate recognition and the institution of an aggressive non-operative management protocol resulted in survival in 20 of 23 patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Tyrrell
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Trotter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Mason
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010166:Palliative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies