Case Report
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 28, 2009; 15(24): 3065-3067
Published online Jun 28, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.3065
Palliative cardia resection with gastroesophageal reconstruction for perforated carcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction
Sonja Gillen, Helmut Friess, Jörg Kleeff
Sonja Gillen, Helmut Friess, Jörg Kleeff, Department of Surgery, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
Author contributions: Gillen S, Friess H, and Kleeff J designed the study, performed the literature review, and analyzed the data; Gillen S and Kleeff J wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Jörg Kleeff, MD, Department of Surgery, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, 81675 Munich, Germany. kleeff@chir.med.tu-muenchen.de
Telephone: +49-89-41405098
Fax: +49-89-41404870
Received: January 2, 2009
Revised: May 21, 2009
Accepted: May 28, 2009
Published online: June 28, 2009
Abstract

Iatrogenic perforation of esophageal cancer or cancer of the gastroesophageal (GE) junction is a serious complication that, in addition to short term morbidity and mortality, significantly compromises the success of any subsequent oncological therapy. Here, we present an 82-year-old man with iatrogenic perforation of adenocarcinoma of the GE junction. Immediate surgical intervention included palliative resection and GE reconstruction. In the case of iatrogenic tumor perforation, the primary goal should be adequate palliative (and not oncological) therapy. The different approaches for iatrogenic perforation, i.e. surgical versus endoscopic therapy are discussed.

Keywords: Esophageal cancer; Esophageal perforation; Emergency surgery; Stent therapy