title: Management of oesophageal perforation after delayed diagnosis: the merit of tissue flap reinforcement.
abstract: Oesophageal perforation remains a life-threatening situation and its management represents a challenge for the surgeon, especially if diagnosis has been delayed. In most cases, a surgical approach is indicated. Simple primary repair often result in leakage. In order to avoid leakage, the primary repair should be buttressed with some kind of tissue flap. We here report our experience with 15 esophageal perforations and 10 tissue flap reinforcements performed during the last decade. The different types of tissue flap are illustrated and their results are compared with more aggressive alternatives such as oesophagectomy, T-tube drainage and oesophageal exclusion.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Services, Université Catholique de Louvain, Mont-Godinne University Hospital, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium. alain.rosiere@chex.ucl.ac.be
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosiere
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mulier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khoury
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Michel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome