title: Conservative Management of an Iatrogenic Esophageal Tear in Kenya.
abstract: Since its description over 250 years ago, diagnosis of esophageal perforation remains challenging, its management controversial, and its mortality high. This rare, devastating, mostly iatrogenic, condition can quickly lead to severe complications and death due to an overwhelming inflammatory response to gastric contents in the mediastinum. Diagnosis is made with the help of esophagograms and although such tears have traditionally been managed via aggressive surgical approach, recent reports emphasize a shift in favor of nonoperative care which unfortunately remains controversial. We here present a case of an iatrogenic esophageal tear resulting from a routine esophagoscopy in a 50-year-old lady presenting with dysphagia. The esophageal tear, almost missed, was eventually successfully managed conservatively, thanks to a relatively early diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Mary's Mission Hospital, P.O. Box 3409, Nairobi 00506, Kenya.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Waweru
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Karen Hospital, P.O. Box 74240, Nairobi 00200, Kenya.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mwaniki