Esophageal Tear
The esophagus is an integral part of the digestive tract as it connects the mouth to the stomach. Because of the length of the stomach and the lack of protection from any bony structure, the esophagus is vulnerable to an injury. Unfortunately, the esophagus is also prone to suffering an injury in a motor vehicle collision. One of the injuries of the esophagus that people could sustain is a laceration or a tear of the esophagus. This is a serious injury that may lead to major complications.
Mechanism of a Tear of the Esophagus
An auto accident can happen at any time. When this happens, there are many sources of penetrating injuries. These include:
- The glass that flies through the vehicle from windows and windshields
- Exposed pieces of plastic as the front of the car deforms
- Metal spikes and shrapnel from the damaged frame
Any of these can lead to a penetrating of the neck which can damage critical structures such as:
- The carotid arteries
- The jugular vein
- Vital organs such as the trachea
- The esophagus
Complications of an Esophageal Tear
A tear of the esophagus can lead to serious medical problems. One of the biggest issues is that people will start bleeding inside of their esophagus. As individuals start coughing, they might notice that blood begins to come up. This requires immediate medical attention. Some of the serious complications that could arise include:
- Serious difficulty eating due to pain from the esophageal tear
- An enlargement of the tear as the esophagus contracts and expands
- The possibility of a full-thickness tear
A rupture of the esophagus could lead to a life-threatening situation. The saliva and blood from the esophagus could start to drain into the chest cavity, leading to respiratory distress and a medical emergency.
Watch YouTube Video: Preparing for Esophageal Surgery. The video below provides useful information for patients who are preparing to have esophageal surgery.
Contacting an Injury Lawyer
- Meeting with families to help them make objective decisions during a hard time.
- Negotiating with financial institutions to help families receive their benefits in full and on time.
- Moving a case to trial when required.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. A tear in the esophagus can cause severe complications that might lead to respiratory distress or hospitalization. If your loved one has been diagnosed with a serious injury after a vehicle collision, contact me today at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and of the Top One Percent, a National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
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Photo Attribution: Pixabay
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