The Heimlich maneuver is a technique designed to clear the airways obstructed by a foreign body, which is able to save life. In rare cases, however, this maneuver can lead to life-threatening complications. Among these undesirable effects figure a few exceptional cases of esophageal rupture. Esophageal perforation is an extremely rare complication of the Heimlich maneuver. Due to this pathology’s high mortality rate and its requirement of rapid multidisciplinary management, it is essential that this clinical entity be known by physicians and be incorporated into their differential diagnosis.
Key Words
Esophagal perforation, Heimlich maneuver