A case of Iatrogenic Esophageal Perforation in a Premature Infant.

Lee,  Eun Kyung; Park,  Eun Jung; Chung,  So Hee; Kim,  Jung Sim; Chang,  Yun Sil; Park,  Won Soon

Case Report

Journal of the Korean Society of Neonatology 1997;4(1):77-81.
Published online January 1, 2001.

A case of Iatrogenic Esophageal Perforation in a Premature Infant.

Eun Kyung Lee, Eun Jung Park, So Hee Chung, Jung Sim Kim, Yun Sil Chang, Won Soon Park

Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Esophageal perforation, a well-known entity in adults, is relatively uncommon in infants and children. Aggressive management in neonatal intensive care units have led to increased survival of premature infants and very sick babies. But it have led to unusual complication like iatrogenic perforation. Perforation of the esophagus or pharynx may occur during replacement of endotracheal or nasogastric tubes in the newborn infant. We recently experienced a case of esophageal perforation presenting with pneumomediastinum in premature infant, which was induced by gastric tube insertion and managed medically. We think that prevention is more important. So, careful visualization of vocal cord during intubation, gentle laryngoscopy, and the use of a soft rubber catheter for oral suction are needed.

Key Words: Esophageal perforation; Premature infant