Introduction:
Gastroesophageal (GE) junction injuries are rare in the pediatric population. A complete GE junction separation in a child secondary to trauma has not reported in the literature yet.
Presentation of case:
A 14-year-old boy presented with a complete GE junction avulsion after a near-drowning experience. He underwent immediate damage control surgery and delayed gastric pull-up esophageal reconstruction in 3-months. At the most recent clinic visit 5 months from the reconstruction, he can tolerate a regular diet without difficulty and is gaining weight and recovering well.
Conclusion:
Complete GE junction injuries and avulsions are rare with limited data to guide management. These injuries are associated with mortality rates from 25% to 33%, therefore, high index of suspicion, prompt recognition and careful surgical planning is needed for favorable outcomes.