Delayed Esophageal Perforation after an Anterior Cervical Plating - Case Report -

Case Report

Korean J Spine 2004;1(3): 375-378.

Sung-Bum Kim, M.D.1, Seong-Hoon Oh, M.D.1, Koang-Hum Bak, M.D.1, Young-Soo Kim, M.D.1, Young Ko, M.D.1 and Won-Sang Chung, M.D.2

Departments of Neurosurgery1, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery2, Hanyang University, Medical Center, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Anterior cervical approach with instrumentation has been widely used for cervical spine disease. Instruments for anterior stabilization have been improved in quality and safety. However, complications of this approach may be serious occasionally. The authors present the case of a 21-year-old man with a delayed esophageal perforation without hardware failure, 3 months after anterior cervical fusion for cervical fracture and dislocation. He complained of progressive dysphagia with spiking fever. Blood laboratory data showed septic condition. Esophageal perforation was diagnosed by esophagoscopy and cine-esophago- graphy. Surgical repair of perforated esophagus was performed using muscle flap and hardware was removed. He had an uneventful relief of septic condition. The pertinent literatures of delayed esophageal perforation are reviewed with conjecture of presumptive casuse.

Keywords: Delayed esophageal perforation, Instrumentation, Cervical spine