Surgical Treatment of Esophago-Cutaneous Fistula Developing after Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Case Report.

Lee, Chul Hee; Kim, Eun Sang; Choi, Joon Young; Park, Yong Gyu; Baek, Sun Ha; Park, In Sung; Jung, Jin Myung; Han, Jong Woo

Case Report

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 1998;27(2): 246-250.

Chul Hee Lee, Eun Sang Kim, Joon Young Choi, Yong Gyu Park, Sun Ha Baek, In Sung Park, Jin Myung Jung, Jong Woo Han

¹Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Chinju, Korea.
²Department of Thoracic Surgery, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Chinju, Korea.

ABSTRACT

Esophageal perforation is a rare but serious complication of anterior cervical spine surgery. Various methods have been developed for it's repair, and due to its multifocal blood supply, considerable length in the neck, and proximity to many important cervical structures, a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap has, in particular, been successfully utilized. The authors report two cases of cervical esophago-cutaneous fistula treated with sternocleidomastoid muscle flap.

Key Words: Esophago-cutaneousfistula; Sternocleidomastoid muscle flap