Endoscopic diagnosis and management of iatrogenic cervical esophageal perforation in extremely premature infants

Abstract

Blind oro-(naso)-pharyngeal suction and feeding catheter intubation are very common practices in pediatric critical care. However, these simple procedures may produce unexpected complications in friable tiny patients. We encountered 3 extremely premature infants in whom cervical esophageal perforation and further submucosal excavation were caused by traumatic catheter injury and subsequently led to catastrophes. These episodes of iatrogenic trauma were all successfully diagnosed early, documented and managed with the aid of ultrathin flexible endoscopy.