title: Esophageal tear: an unusual complication after difficult endotracheal intubation.
abstract: Esophageal perforation is a serious life threatening injury that may occur during inadvertent esophageal intubation. We report two cases of iatrogenic esophageal perforation after attempted endotracheal intubation. Our experience confirms that early diagnosis (as in the first case) is associated with a more favorable outcome. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis of this complication because the symptoms are often nonspecific and may be delayed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Ibtesam A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Hilmi
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quinlan
authors.forename: Saraswathy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shekar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000209:etiology