True about oesophageal perforation: (A) Barium swallow is diagnostic, (B) Treatment is primary repair, (C) MC after traumatic injury, (D) Repair delayed beyond 24 hr
Answer is A. Diagnosis of an oesophagal perforation may be made radiographically. A chest roentgenogram may demonstrate a hydropneumothorax. Contrast esophagography is performed using barium for a suspected thoracic perforation and Gastrografin for an abdominal perforation. In few cases, barium swallow may cause peritonitis in oesophageal perforation Most oesophagal perforations occur after endoscopic instrumentation for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. Surgery is not indicated for every patient with a perforation of the oesophagus. The so-called golden period for primary closure of an oesophagal perforation is within the first 24 hours. Sabiston 20th edition pg: 1053