Vacuum-Assisted Closure Treats Refractory Esophageal Leak in a Pediatric Patient

Esophageal perforations can have iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic causes. Early identification is a predictor of good outcomes. When identified, perforations can be managed conservatively with wide drainage or repaired surgically. Endoscopic esophageal vacuum-assisted closure may be used as a definitive treatment, particularly in scenarios where conservative management and primary surgical repair fail to achieve complete healing. We present such a scenario advocating for the consideration of endoscopic esophageal vacuum-assisted closure in patients with refractory esophageal leaks.