Anastomotic esophageal leak due to Taenia saginata following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

Authors

• Reem M. Baleela, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
• Mohamed Y. Huessain, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
• Mohamed E. Ahmed, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, PO Box 102, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan. Fax. +249 (18) 3782663. E-mail: rasheid{at}usa.net

Abstract

A 50-year-old female with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower third of the esophagus underwent an esophagectomy via laparotomy and right thoracotomy. She developed a major anastomotic leak on the third postoperative day. The chest tube slipped out on the 10th postoperative day and a segment of Taenia saginata tapeworm came out through the tube drain site and was extracted. She was given praziquantel tablets treatment; after which the leakage dropped dramatically and ceased completely after one week. Patients scheduled for esophagectomy who experienced recurrent abdominal pain in areas endemic with a tapeworm need to be screened for taeniasis before surgery.

Article Type

Case Report

First Page

241

Last Page

243

Recommended Citation

Baleela, Reem M.; Huessain, Mohamed Y.; and Ahmed, Mohamed E. (2006) "Anastomotic esophageal leak due to Taenia saginata following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 27: Iss. 2, Article 20.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.3320