Fecopneumothorax: a rare complication of esophagectomy

Ann Thorac Surg. 2007 Aug;84(2):651-2. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2007.03.020.

Abstract

Intrathoracic colon herniation after esophagectomy is rare. Furthermore, fecopneumothorax is an extremely infrequent clinical entity. We believe this is the first report in the literature of a patient with fecopneumothorax due to diverticular perforation of intrathoracically herniated transverse colon 2 months after transthoracic esophagectomy and cervical esophagogastric anastomosis. The relative literature addressing cause, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and prevention of this life-threatening complication of esophagectomy is reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery*
  • Colonic Diseases / etiology*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Esophagectomy / adverse effects*
  • Gastric Fistula / etiology
  • Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumothorax / diagnosis*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis