Surgical Repair of Esophageal Perforation due to Pneumatic Dilatation for Esophageal Achalasia

Fumihiko Yoneyama, Yoichiro Kobayashi, Kanji Miyata, Hidemasa Ohta, Eiji Takeuchi and Tatsuharu Yamada

Department of Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya First Hospital

A 56-year-old woman with dysphagia and chest pain was diagnosed in esophagography and manometry as having esophageal achalasia and was treated by pneumatic dilation. Because the first attempt was insufficient, another attempt was made 4 days later. Esophagography following dilation revealed leakage of the contrast medium from the left wall of the lower esophagus, necessitating esophageal perforation repair the next day. Perforation of esophageal wall was confirmed and sutured primarily because the esophageal wall and mediastinum were slightly polluted. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient has remained well on a regular diet in the 4 years since surgery.

Key words
esophageal achalasia, balloon dilation, esophageal rupture

Reprint requests
Fumihiko Yoneyama Department of Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya First Hospital 3-35, Michisita-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 453-8511 JAPAN

Accepted
January 22, 2003

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