Background: Treatment of esophageal perforation, especially when diagnosed late, remains controversial.
Methods: Twenty-eight patients were treated for thoracic esophageal perforation with reinforced primary repair regardless of time of presentation.
Results: Fifteen patients were treated early (< 24 hours) with no deaths. Two had contained postoperative leaks, which healed. Thirteen were treated late (mean, 5.5 days) with four deaths (3 with healed repairs). Postoperative leaks occurred in 7 patients; of the leaks, 4 healed, 2 became a controlled fistula, and 1 required reoperation. Primary healing with preservation of the native esophagus was achieved in 25 patients (89%). Among the 18 patients without evidence of sepsis preoperatively, post-operative leaks developed in 2 (11%). Ten patients had evidence of sepsis preoperatively, and postoperative leaks developed in 7 (70%).
Conclusions: Patients who present with sepsis have an increased risk of postoperative leak and therefore should have the repair buttressed. Overall mortality was 14% and no deaths were due to persistent leaks or mediastinal sepsis. Reinforced primary repair retains the native esophagus and avoids the need for later reconstructive operations. In the absence of a nondilatable stricture or cancer, reinforced primary repair should be performed for most thoracic esophageal perforations, early or late.