Esophageal perforation during surgery on the cervical spine.

Esophageal perforation during surgery for cervical disc herniation is a rare complication. Differences in the time of diagnosis of this complication in three patients--no delay and delays of 6 hours and 4 days, respectively--resulted in different symptoms and outcomes. Early detection of the perforation allows prompt treatment. In the early stage, primary suture and, if necessary, interposition of vital tissue are sufficient to complete healing. In later stages, only drainage procedures, sometimes with a diversion of the salivary leakage, are indicated. In the reported patients, the outcome was favorable. On the other hand as an ongoing infection may cause mediastinitis, awareness of this complication and urgent surgical treatment may be lifesaving.