War injuries to the thoracic esophagus.

OBJECTIVE

Presentation of our experience in the treatment of war injuries to the thoracic esophagus at the Split University Hospital, Croatia, during the 1991-1995 wars in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of clinical and surgical data on patients with war injuries to the esophagus.

RESULTS

Of 2494 treated injured persons, 5 patients (0.2%) had injuries to the esophagus. We performed temporary double-exclusion of the esophagus in all our patients, followed by gastric interposition after partial esophagegtomy in three patients and simple suturing with pericardial protection of the esophagus in one patient. One of our patients died after double-exclusion due to septic complications in spite of antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis regularly performed in all injured persons. Final surgical outcome and mortality rate (20%) in our patients were quite satisfactory.

CONCLUSION

Prompt transportation, appropriate diagnostic methods and an adequate surgical treatment can markedly reduce mortality and complications rate in war injuries to the thoracic esophagus.