Surgical Management of Non-Malignant Esophageal Perforations: A Single-Center Analysis Over a 15-Year Period

TY - JOUR

T1 - Surgical Management of Non-Malignant Esophageal Perforations: A Single-Center Analysis Over a 15-Year Period

AU - Karstens, Karl-Frederick

AU - Bellon, Eugen

AU - Tachezy, Michael

AU - Izbicki, Jakob R

AU - Ghadban, Tarik

AU - Duprée, Anna

AU - Uzunoglu, Faik G

AU - Bachmann, Kai

AU - Koenig, Alexandra

AU - Reeh, Matthias

N1 - © 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - PURPOSE: Esophageal perforations are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Different nonoperative and operative treatment options have been proposed. This study focuses on the impact of different surgical treatments in nonmalignant esophageal perforations and tries to identify predictors of mortality in a single tertiary center over a 15-year period.METHODS: From 2002 to 2017, patients with surgically managed esophageal perforation were identified from our database. Patients with esophageal malignancies were excluded. Etiology, clinical data, treatment, and outcome were analyzed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the impact on mortality.RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were identified. The majority of perforations were iatrogenic (54.2%) followed by Boerhaave's syndrome (23.6%). Most ruptures were found in the distal third of the esophagus (59.7%) measuring <3 cm (61.1%). Patients were treated with exploration and drainage (8.3%), primary suture and patch reinforcement (36.1%), resection and restoration of continuity (25.0%), or resection without restoration of continuity (30.6%). Delayed therapy significantly correlated with sepsis (p < 0.0001) and mortality (p = 0.032). A correlation between an increasing perforation length with sepsis (p = 0.012) was observed. A higher Perforation Severity Score (PSS; OR 4.430; 95% CI 1.143-17.174; p = 0.031) and a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (OR 2.923; 95% CI 1.011-8.448; p = 0.048) were associated with mortality in multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION: Esophageal perforations are associated with high mortality, and larger ruptures are associated with worse outcome. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial for patient survival. Hence, PSS and ASA score help to identify high-risk patients. The advantage of surgical management lies in the rapid control of the septic focus in an already critically ill patient. Though, the kind of surgical technique needs to be adjusted to the individual situation.

AB - PURPOSE: Esophageal perforations are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Different nonoperative and operative treatment options have been proposed. This study focuses on the impact of different surgical treatments in nonmalignant esophageal perforations and tries to identify predictors of mortality in a single tertiary center over a 15-year period.METHODS: From 2002 to 2017, patients with surgically managed esophageal perforation were identified from our database. Patients with esophageal malignancies were excluded. Etiology, clinical data, treatment, and outcome were analyzed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the impact on mortality.RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were identified. The majority of perforations were iatrogenic (54.2%) followed by Boerhaave's syndrome (23.6%). Most ruptures were found in the distal third of the esophagus (59.7%) measuring <3 cm (61.1%). Patients were treated with exploration and drainage (8.3%), primary suture and patch reinforcement (36.1%), resection and restoration of continuity (25.0%), or resection without restoration of continuity (30.6%). Delayed therapy significantly correlated with sepsis (p < 0.0001) and mortality (p = 0.032). A correlation between an increasing perforation length with sepsis (p = 0.012) was observed. A higher Perforation Severity Score (PSS; OR 4.430; 95% CI 1.143-17.174; p = 0.031) and a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (OR 2.923; 95% CI 1.011-8.448; p = 0.048) were associated with mortality in multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION: Esophageal perforations are associated with high mortality, and larger ruptures are associated with worse outcome. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial for patient survival. Hence, PSS and ASA score help to identify high-risk patients. The advantage of surgical management lies in the rapid control of the septic focus in an already critically ill patient. Though, the kind of surgical technique needs to be adjusted to the individual situation.

U2 - 10.1159/000504342

DO - 10.1159/000504342

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 31775154

VL - 37

SP - 302

EP - 311

JO - DIGEST SURG

JF - DIGEST SURG

SN - 0253-4886

IS - 4

ER -