[Cervical esophagus injuries (author's transl)].

The authors report 16 cases of cervical esophagus injuries. In two patients, they followed a closed injury to the neck, in six cases, wounds from firearms or other weapons. In five cases, tracheal intubation, and in three cases, perforations of various origins. All patients required operative treatment, and in six cases surgery was performed between the 3rd and 25th day following the injury. Only one of the 8 patients operated upon within 12 hours following injury developed cervicomediastinal complications, while seven of the 8 cases operated upon after this period developed mediastinitis or a fistula. Radiological examination with an opaque medium and urgent operation combining drainage and suture are essential when injury to the esophagus is suspected, in order to obtain early diagnosis and good results.