Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
1990-8-13
pubmed:abstractText
We analyzed the treatment of a recent group of patients with life-threatening acute posterior mediastinitis due to esophageal perforation to elucidate common factors in successful treatment. Life-threatening acute posterior mediastinitis due to esophageal perforation was diagnosed in 16 patients over the past 12 years. Esophageal perforation resulted from endoscopy in 11 patients, retching in 4, and blunt trauma in 1 patient. Preoperative serum albumin levels were higher in patients who survived. Fourteen of 16 patients (88%) underwent exploration: mediastinal drainage in 14 (10 survived), esophageal repair in 9 (7 survived) with diversion in 3 (3 survived), and stent placement in 2 (1 survived). Six of 16 patients (38%) died, always of polymicrobial sepsis. Female patients and those with cancer, endoscopic perforations, delayed diagnosis, persistent mediastinal contamination, mediastinal suppuration or necrotizing cellulitis, and postoperative complications did poorly. Antibiotics must be effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and against both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. Early surgical intervention is key, particularly elimination of ongoing mediastinal soilage. Thorough mediastinal debridement and wide mediastinal drainage appear to be important in improving survival of patients with life-threatening acute posterior mediastinitis due to esophageal perforation.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jun
pubmed:issn
0003-4975
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
49
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
979-83
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1990
pubmed:articleTitle
Life-threatening acute posterior mediastinitis due to esophageal perforation.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33606.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article