Surgery for an Esophageal Rupture
Surgery for an Esophageal Rupture – There are many reasons why someone could be involved in a car accident which range from bad weather to alcohol intoxication and equipment failure. Regardless, there is a chance that traumatic injuries could develop even in a minor fender bender. Some statistics published by the Association for Safe International Road Travel include:
- More than 3,200 people are killed in traffic accidents every day.
- This adds up to more than 1.2 million people each year.
- In addition, more than 20 million people sustain serious injuries every year.
- More than half of these deaths occur in people between the ages of 15 and 44.
These statistics are scary and indicate that more needs to be done to prevent these accidents and the serious injuries that result from them. One of the injuries that people could sustain is a rupture of the esophagus.
An Esophageal Rupture: The Symptoms
When someone has symptoms of an esophageal tear, this will present in different ways depending on the severity of the damage. Some of the issues that individuals may notice include:
- The inability to swallow effectively
- Pain in their neck
- A pain that gets worse when eating, drinking, or swallowing
- A feeling of a “crunch” in their neck when they breathe or swallow
- Severe chest pain
The symptoms of an esophageal tear can get worse if food or liquid exits the esophagus. This is because these substances could leave the esophagus and run down into the chest. This can cause lung damage and respiratory distress. Because of this, an esophageal rupture is a surgical emergency.
Treatment of an Esophageal Tear: A Surgical Emergency
An esophageal tear could be fatal if people sustain severe lung damage from the injury. Therefore, it is crucial to repair the tear as quickly as possible. A trained surgeon will use imaging to identify where in the esophagus the tear is located. Then, they will carefully stitch up the tear. After this, imaging will be used to confirm that the tear has been closed and will stay closed during the swallowing process. It may take a while before someone is allowed to eat solid food again after the repair.
Help from a Sacramento Lawyer
When someone has suffered a serious injury, such as a tear of the esophagus, this can place the family under a large amount of stress. Some of the sources of this stress include:
- Uncertainty around whether or not a loved one can return to work
- The possible complications that might result
- A lack of clarity surrounding the prognosis
- Questions about health insurance and property insurance coverage
When this happens, it is vital to contact an experienced legal professional for help. A personal injury lawyer in Sacramento can help family members review all of the options available to them. You and your loved ones might be deserving of financial compensation.
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Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. A tear of the esophagus is a surgical emergency. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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Surgery for an Esophageal Rupture: AutoAccident.com
Photo Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/Surgery for an Esophageal Rupture.
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