Endoscopic iatrogenic esophageal perforation and management: a retrospective outcome analysis in the modern era

Iatrogenic esophageal perforation (IEP) is a severe adverse event (AE) of upper endoscopy procedures (UEPs) associated with morbidity. Management has shifted from surgery to endotherapy with clip closure (CC), self-expanding metal stent (SEMS), and vacuum therapy (VT). Limited analyses measure outcomes during contemporary interventional endoscopy periods.

IEPs associated with EGD, upper EUS, small bowel enteroscopy (SBE), and ERCP at a 3-hospital academic center from January 2011 to December 2023 were identified retrospectively from a centralized AE database. Additional information was obtained from medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and STATA.

Thirty-two IEPs from 26 EGDs, 4 EUS, 1 SBE, and 1 ERCP were identified. IEPs occurred mostly after dilation (bougie N = 7; balloon, N = 5) or foreign body removal (N = 6). Most IEPs occurred in the lower esophagus (N = 10) or gastroesophageal junction (N = 8). Diagnosis was made at a median 2 h after the injury by endoscopy (N = 14), CT scan (N = 12), esophagram (N = 5), or x-ray (N = 1). Initial treatment included conservative therapy alone (N = 7), CC (N = 3), SEMS (N = 14), SEMS plus CC (N = 3), or surgery (N = 3). Eleven patients required additional treatment including repeat SEMS or adjustment (N = 4) or VT (N = 1). No surgical interventions were required after 2013. The median hospital stay was 3 days. Disposition included discharge to home (N = 25), long-term care facility (N = 2), 4 deaths (12.5% of IEPs), and 1 unknown.

IEPs are rare and occur throughout the esophagus after any UEP. The majority are recognized immediately and managed with endotherapy, or rarely, surgery today. These characteristics likely explain the low mortality in this study.