S5266 Endoscopic Treatment With Stenting, Cricopharyngeal Myotomy, and Vacuum-Assisted Closure of Iatrogenic Cervical Esophageal Perforation

Introduction: Patients with cervical esophageal perforations rarely require procedural intervention. Surgical management may include abscess drainage or primary repair in severe cases with stenting considered ineffective for perforation at or above the cricopharyngeus. This case demonstrates endoscopic treatment using stenting, cricopharyngeal myotomy, and endoluminal vacuum assisted closure (EVAC) to treat an iatrogenic case of cervical esophageal perforation. Case Description: A 76-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and diabetes sustained an iatrogenic submucosal dissection from an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Computed Tomography (CT) imaging and esophagram showed a submucosal dissection extending from the cervical to the distal thoracic esophagus. Repeat esophagram showed persistent contrast leak after 5 days of conservative management with intravenous antibiotics and nothing by mouth (NPO). Endoscopy revealed a perforation at the cricopharyngeus with a long tunnel not amenable to clip or suture closure. A prominent cricopharyngeal bar was present likely as an instigating factor and obstructing our instrumentation of the defect. Using standard tunneling technique, a full myotomy was performed giving greater access to the non-healing wound. Mucopurulent fluid was lavaged out of the cavity, and an overtube was placed into the defect to facilitate EVAC placement. A granulofoam sponge was suture fixated to a Blake drain and pushed into the cavity then brought out through the nose and secured to the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) cannister. She underwent 2 EVAC placements over 10 days until the wound was clean and sufficient granulation present. A covered stent was placed just below the esophageal inlet to collapse the cavity and accelerate closure of the now clean defect. The stent was removed 39 days post-EUS, 2 weeks after placement, with healed perforation. Repeat esophagram showed no esophageal perforation or leak. The patient was seen in clinic one-month post-discharge with resolved dysphagia and tolerating oral intake. Discussion: Cervical esophageal perforations that do not heal spontaneously are rare and often difficult to manage. Stenting alone is not an option and the narrowed lumen from the cricopharyngeus limits additional instrumentation. Our case demonstrates that endoscopic intervention with cricopharyngeal myotomy and EVAC can be successful in treatment of esophageal perforation at experienced centers.