Esophageal perforation associated with cervical spine surgery: report of two cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Background/aims: Esophageal perforation after anterior cervical spine surgery is a rare complication with various clinical presentations and treatments.

Methods: Two cases of esophageal perforation after anterior cervical spine surgery are described, one occurring in the immediate postoperative period and one several years after plate stabilization of the cervical spine.

Results: Primary suturing of the acute perforation and diversion of the salivary flow by means of T-tube placement after delayed presentation allowed successful healing of the esophageal defects.

Conclusion: When encountering acute dysphagia after cervical spine surgery, one should think of an esophageal perforation and install immediate further diagnostics and therapy. Treatment depends on the time of detection and size of the perforation. In early stages, with vital tissues, primary suturing is the treatment of choice. If presentation is late, it seems advisable to limit the procedure to simple drainage after removal of foreign bodies.