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A 40-year-old member asked:

Can you get a torn esophagus or worse, in a car accident?

3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Allen Seely
Dr. Allen Seelyanswered
General Practice 33 years experience
YES/NO: If the force in a mva (motor vehicle accident) is enough to tear an esophagus you probably won't survive to 'get the diagnosis' --other structures would also be torn (e.g. Aorta, vena cava ...).
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5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Dr. Harold Mandel
Dr. Harold Mandelanswered
General Practice 40 years experience
Trauma is possible: Trauma is one cause of an esophageal rupture. Other causes are cancer of the esophagus, ingesting corrosive fluids, and forceful vomiting. Esophageal rupture may also be iatrogenic during endoscopic procedures. This is a serious condition which demands immediate surgical care.
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3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Dr. Alvin Lin
Dr. Phillip Goebel
Dr. Alvin Lin and another doctor agree2 doctors agree
Dr. Phillip Goebel
Dr. Phillip Goebelanswered
Emergency Medicine 18 years experience
Yes: You can rupture your esophagus in a car accident, but the forces required to do this usually produce other serious to mortal injuries at the same time. These injuries include rib fractures, collapsed lungs, torn aorta, and lung contusions. Fortunately modern air bags, seat belts, and car designs have reduced the number of these serious injuries significantly.
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3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Dr. Susan Rhoads
Dr. Paul Grin
Dr. Philip Gardner
Dr. Susan Rhoads and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

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Last updated Jul 8, 2018

Found in:

Accidents

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