[Esophageal perforation during transesophageal echocardiography].
Known for its reliability, transoesophageal echocardiography is an investigation which is increasingly used in cardiology, cardiac surgery and intensive care units. It is a semi-invasive investigation of which oesophageal perforation is a very rare but serious complication. Two cases of oesophageal perforation after transoesophageal echocardiography are reported out of a series of 87 oesophageal perforations treated between January 1981 and February 1999. In both cases, transoesophageal echocardiography was performed in conscious patients without known pre-existing oesophageal pathology. The presentations were acute. Both patients underwent emergency surgery. One patient is alive and the other one died one month after a second operation related to the perforation. Nine cases of oesophageal perforation have been reported after transoesophageal echocardiography. The pathogenesis, means of prevention and treatment of oesophageal perforation are discussed.
Jougon
J
J
Service de chirurgie thoracique, MHL hôpital du Haut-Lévèque, CHU de Bordeaux, Pessac.
Gallon
P
P
Dubrez
J
J
Velly
J F
JF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome