[Endoscopic vacuum therapy in minimally invasive treatment of esophageal perforations]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the results of endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) and open surgery for esophageal perforations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 60 patients with esophageal perforations between 2010 and 2022. The main group included 29 patients who underwent minimally invasive treatment with EVT, the control group - 31 patients after open surgical interventions.

RESULTS

Pneumonia occurred in 21 (72%) and 14 (45%) patients (p=0.04), esophageal stenosis within the perforation zone - in 4 (13.8%) and 1 (3.2%) patient, respectively (p=0.188). Chronic esophageal fistulas were significantly more common in the control group (6 (20.7%) versus 15 (48.4%) patients, p=0.032). The overall duration of treatment (median) among survivors was significantly shorter in the main group: 33 (23; 48) versus 71.5 (59; 93.7) days (p=0.5). However, length of ICU-stay was slightly higher (11 (6; 16) versus 8.5 (5; 12.75) days, p=0.32). Mortality rate was 13.8% (n=4) and 29% (n=9), respectively (p=0.213). Minimally invasive technologies decreased the risk of fatal outcome by 10 times (OR 10.123, 95% CI 1.491-124.97, p=0.035) compared to traditional surgery.

CONCLUSION

EVT in complex minimally invasive treatment of patients with mechanical esophageal injuries is an effective method significantly reducing mortality and duration of inpatient treatment compared to traditional surgical approach.

[Post-intubation rupture of thoracic trachea in a patient with iatrogenic esophageal perforation and mediastinitis]

Iatrogenic injuries of the esophagus and trachea are rare. However, these are life-threatening events due to severe complications. The authors report iatrogenic perforation of cervical esophagus with a long false passage in posterior mediastinum in an 83-year-old patient undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for choledocholithiasis. Post-intubation rupture of thoracic trachea was diagnosed early after suturing the defect of esophagus and drainage of mediastinum. Treatment strategy was analyzed and conservative management of tracheal injury was substantiated.

[Surgical treatment of spontaneous esophageal rupture: long-term experience of the Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Care]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the treatment outcomes in patients with spontaneous esophageal rupture (SER).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 106 patients with SER admitted to the Sklifosovsky Research Institute for the period from 1992 to 2015. The sample also included 91 patients who were referred from other hospitals. All patients were divided into 4 groups depending on surgical procedure: surgical drainage (Group I, n=19); suturing the esophageal defect without antireflux surgery (Group II, n=12); esophageal wall repair with fundoplication procedure (Group III, n=62); resection of the thoracic esophagus (Group IV, n=13).

RESULTS

In the 1^st group, complication rate was 100% and significantly exceeded these values in groups II, III, and IV (66.7%, 71%, and 69.2%, respectively; p=0.0318, p=0.0189, and p=0.0413). The length of hospital-stay was the lowest in group IV (mean 42 days) and group I (mean 55 days). Mortality rate in groups I, III and IV was 15-20% lower than in group II. Pneumonia and pleural empyema were significant predictors of poor outcome. Fundoplication improved postoperative outcomes in group III compared to group II. Resection of the thoracic esophagus performed in accordance with strict indications interrupts infectious process and shortens recovery period. Surgical drainage is followed by persistent contamination of mediastinum and pleural cavities that may quickly result a fatal outcome.

CONCLUSION

A differentiated approach to SER treatment can reduce the risk of complications and mortality.

[Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

A case report of successful surgical treatment of spontaneous rupture of the esophagus in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma and obesity is presented. Rupture of the esophagus occurred during a coughing without vomiting.

[The immune reactions by the esophagus injuries, complicated by mediastinitis]

The comparative analysis of 56 immunograms of patients with mediastinitis, caused by the esophagus trauma is represented. The mean values of 9 immunologic parameteres (the so called "norm of the pathology") were set for patients with noncomplicated mediastinitis. A novel method of the immune status evaluation for the patients with the acute surgical conditions and SIRS has been suggested. If early applied, the method allows substantive immunotherapy for such patients.