• Hongquan Ji, Dandan Liu, Weitao You, Fang Zhou, and Zhongjun Liu.
• From the Orthopaedic Department, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
• Spine. 2015 Feb 1;40(3):E183-5.

Study DesignCase report.ObjectiveTo share our successful experience in treating 1 case of esophageal perforation after anterior revision cervical spine surgery with open-wound management.Summary Of Background DataEarly diagnosis and surgical treatment is widely adopted in the management of esophageal complications after anterior cervical spine surgery, but the management of wound after surgical repair of esophageal perforation is rarely discussed.MethodsOne patient underwent revision anterior cervical spine surgery because of displaced hardware and poor alignment of cervical spine. Esophageal perforation was incurred intraoperatively and found on the first postoperative day. Repair surgery was carried out immediately afterward. During the surgery, esophageal perforation was closed with a suture, and reinforced with a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap. The wound was loosely closed with aspirating drainage. Two days after the surgery, the patient began to show signs of recurrent esophageal leakage and severe secondary wound infection. The wound was then reopened completely before a continuous irrigation and drainage system was positioned in place.ResultIn 12 weeks, the esophageal perforation healed without complications or loosening of instrumentation.ConclusionOpen-wound management succeeded in this patient after surgical repair of esophageal perforation caused by revision anterior cervical spine surgery.Level Of Evidence4.

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