Chronic Dysphagia Due To in Surgery — 54yo Man | General Surgery | SMLE Q#1319
SMLE Question #1319
Surgery
General Surgery
Objective: OBJ-TRACH-EMERG-01
Last updated: February 2026
A 54-year-old man with chronic dysphagia due to a benign oesophageal stricture undergoes endoscopic oesophageal dilatation as an outpatient procedure. Eight hours later, he develops sudden severe retrosternal chest pain radiating to the back with new hoarseness. Examination reveals mild crepitus over the lower neck. Chest radiograph shows subcutaneous emphysema in the lower neck and a small left pleural effusion. What is the most likely complication of the dilatation?
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