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Esophageal Perforation: Its Early Diagnosis and Treatment
Author(s) -
Elleson Dale A.,
Rowley Steven D.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.1982.92.6.678
Subject(s) - perforation , medicine , general surgery , intensive care medicine , engineering , punching , mechanical engineering
Perforation of the esophagus is potentially the most lethal of any site in the gastrointestinal tract and is also the greatest therapeutic challenge. Although uncommon, esophageal perforation continues to occur even in the hands of very well‐trained and experienced endoscopists. The literature reports the incidence of instrumental esophageal perforation to be between 0.25% and 1%. A review of 374 consecutive rigid esophagoscopies at the Naval Regional Medical Center, Oakland, CA. over a three‐year period revealed three perforations for an overall incidence of 0.8%. This paper will review cases.