Introduction:

Esophageal trauma is a challenge because it may go unnoticed. These injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality due to the increased risk of local or systemic infections that progress to sepsis and, finally, death.

Objective:

To describe a case of endoscopic management of a sharp force injury in the esophagus, which was corrected with hemostatic clips.

Case description:

A 28-year-old male patient with no significant history was referred due to a penetrating injury caused by a sharp weapon in region I of the neck at the sternal fork level. He had imaging findings suggestive of pneumomediastinum, so we opted for an endoscopic intervention with the initial plan of placing a fully covered esophageal prosthesis. However, given the location of the lesion and other risk factors, endoscopic management with hemostatic clips was performed, the evolution of which was satisfactory, and the patient was discharged without any complications.

Conclusions:

Esophageal perforation due to trauma continues to be a clinical situation that requires a high index of suspicion, so all tools for early diagnosis must be exhausted. Systemic complications such as mediastinitis must be avoided, given the high morbidity and mortality with which it is associated. Besides, each patient must be individualized according to their hemodynamic stability to determine the most appropriate intervention and reduce hospital stay. Endoscopy is an excellent alternative.

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