Success in esophageal perforation repair with open-wound management after revision cervical spine surgery: a case report.
METHODS
Case report.


OBJECTIVE
To share our successful experience in treating 1 case of esophageal perforation after anterior revision cervical spine surgery with open-wound management.


BACKGROUND
Early diagnosis and surgical treatment is widely adopted in the management of esophageal complications after anterior cervical spine surgery, but the management of wound after surgical repair of esophageal perforation is rarely discussed.


METHODS
One patient underwent revision anterior cervical spine surgery because of displaced hardware and poor alignment of cervical spine. Esophageal perforation was incurred intraoperatively and found on the first postoperative day. Repair surgery was carried out immediately afterward. During the surgery, esophageal perforation was closed with a suture, and reinforced with a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap. The wound was loosely closed with aspirating drainage. Two days after the surgery, the patient began to show signs of recurrent esophageal leakage and severe secondary wound infection. The wound was then reopened completely before a continuous irrigation and drainage system was positioned in place.


RESULTS
In 12 weeks, the esophageal perforation healed without complications or loosening of instrumentation.


CONCLUSIONS
Open-wound management succeeded in this patient after surgical repair of esophageal perforation caused by revision anterior cervical spine surgery.


METHODS
4.
From the Orthopaedic Department, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
Hongquan
H
Ji
Dandan
D
Liu
Weitao
W
You
Fang
F
Zhou
Zhongjun
Z
Liu
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D012086:Reoperation / Q000009:adverse effects; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult