The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 39, 476-477, Copyright © 1985 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Reversible total esophageal exclusion
RJ Lewis and GE Sisler
A 23-year-old man with miliary tuberculosis had severe esophageal
hemorrhage secondary to eroding tuberculous nodes. Balloon tamponade and
packing with gauze did not alter the profuse bleeding. Empyema of the right
thorax, massive mediastinal nodes, an unknown site of bleeding in the
esophagus, and diffuse pulmonary involvement with tuberculosis precluded a
thoracotomy. Because of widespread peritoneal tuberculosis, permanent
esophageal exclusion by ligation was rejected as bowel interposition would
have been extremely difficult at a later time. Reversible total esophageal
exclusion was successfully utilized.