Modified Endoscopic Vacuum-Assisted Closure (EVAC) for Esophageal Perforation: a Promising and Simplified Technique — Report of Three Patients.

Intrathoracic esophageal perforation is a devastating event bearing high mortality rates. Prompt recognition and aggressive treatment are key. Traditionally, most patients required surgical treatment, but recently, endoscopic techniques, mainly endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (EVAC), have been recognized as a valuable alternative in selected patients. Herein, we describe a novel technique in which a nasogastric tube (NGT) was placed endoscopically into a mediastinal abscess and covered with a self-expanding metal stent to treat esophageal defects in three patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]