Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2017 May;60(5):252-256. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.17342.

Usefulness of Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy in the Treatment of Esophageal Perforation Following Thyroidectomy

• Park A
• Yoo YS
• Choi JH
• Chung ES

• KMID: 2379921
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.17342

Abstract

Perforation of the cervical esophagus after thyroidectomy is a rare complication. Esophageal perforation is usually treated conservatively with simple surgical drainage and intravenous antibiotic therapy. If complicated by abscess, it needs aggressive surgery including resection and anastomosis. But the aggressive treatments mentioned have low success and high morbidity. Herein, we report a patient with complicated deep neck infection caused by esophageal perforation following thyroidectomy, which was successfully treated with multiple vacuum-assisted closure and intravenous antibiotic therapy after the failure of simple suture and simple drainage as conservative managements.

Keyword

Cervical esophageal perforation; Deep neck infection; Thyroidectomy; Vacuum-assisted closure therapy

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Drainage
Esophageal Perforation*
Esophagus
Humans
Neck
Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy*
Sutures
Thyroidectomy*