Unexpected complication of oesophagoscopy: iatrogenic aortic injury in a child

Abstract

SummaryIntroductionOesophagoscopy is usually a safe procedure to localise and remove ingested foreign bodies, however, unexpected complications may develop during this procedure. In this case report we discuss iatrogenic aortic injury, which developed during oesophagoscopy, and its immediate treatment.Case reportA six-year-old male patient was admitted to hospital with symptoms of having ingested a foreign body. Oesophagoscopy was carried out and the foreign body was visualised at the second constriction of the oesophagus. During this procedure, profuse bleeding occurred. Subsequently, a balloon dilator was placed to control bleeding in the oesophagus. Thoracic contrast tomography revealed thoracic aortic injury. Open surgical aortic repair was immediately carried out on the patient and the oesophageal hole was primarily repaired. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 15 with a total cure.ConclusionAlthough oesophagoscopy is a safe, easily applied method, it should be kept in mind that fatal complications may occur during the procedure. This procedure should be done in high-level medical centres, which have extra facilities for managing complications.

The Way to Man's Heart Is through the Stomach

“…[32][33][34] It can also result from iatrogenic injury to the thoracic aorta following endoscopic retrieval of a foreign body. 35 AEF can be a consequence of esophageal malignancy, 36 as well as the result of radiation therapy for esophageal 37,38 or pulmonary malignancy. 39 It can also be caused by the erosion of stents inserted for obstructing esophageal cancers 40 and benign stenosing conditions of the esophagus, 41 as well as by benign esophageal ulceration 42 and after esophageal surgery.…”

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Iatrogenic Injury of the Thoracic Aorta

“…1 Other procedures, such as thoracentesis, pacemaker placement, pericardiocentesis, and esophagoscopy, have also been implicated in aortic injury. [2][3][4][5] Various treatment approaches have been used for aortic repair in the setting of iatrogenic aortic injury: open aortic repair, hemostatic glue, observation, 6 and as in this case, TEVAR.…”