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Revista de la Facultad de Medicina (México)
On-line version ISSN 2448-4865Print version ISSN 0026-1742
Abstract
CALVO VAZQUEZ, Iván et al. Management of a late esophageal perforation secondary to an anterior cervical spine surgery. Rev. Fac. Med. (Méx.) [online]. 2019, vol.62, n.1, pp.27-32. ISSN 2448-4865. https://doi.org/10.22201/fm.24484865e.2019.62.1.05.
Introduction:
The anterior cervical spine surgery is a routine procedure for the fixation of unstable vertebral fractures; the indications for stabilization of the vertebrae are osteomyelitis, spinal tumors and trauma.
Objective:
To inform about one of the rare and potentially dangerous complications of the cervical spine fixation by anterior approach.
Patients and methods:
CASE 1: A 41 year-old male patient who had a car accident. The tomography shows a fracture of the anterior arch of C1 and a spinous process fracture of C5-C6. He underwent surgery, and osteosynthesis with plate fixation was placed. A month later he presented esophageal perforation, and underwent surgery again. Osteosynthesis was removed, drainage was performed and a VAC system was placed. He was discharged by adequate evolution.
CASE 2: A 53 year-old female patient, began her condition a month earlier with cervicodorsal pain. A magnetic resonance was performed finding disc herniation C4-C5, C5-C6. An arthroplasty with prosthesis in C4-C5 was performed. Five months later, she presented migration of the prosthetic implant and underwent surgery again to remove the prosthesis, presenting esophageal perforation. The surgical wound was washed and a VAC system was placed with satisfactory evolution.
Results:
A cervical perforation after an anterior cervical spine surgery is a rare complication; an early diagnosis is crucial.
Keywords : Esophageal perforation; VAC system; cervical spine.