2008 Volume 19 Issue 5 Pages 283-287
We report the results of surgical treatment for spontaneous esophageal rupture performed in one medical center.
Methods: We examined 9 cases of spontaneous esophageal rupture from 1991 to 2007. There were 8 male patients and 1 female patient, and the mean age of the group was 65. For each case, we identified the kind of operation performed, any complications, and whether the patient survived.
Results: Patients received a wide variety of surgical treatments. Four patients were treated with direct closure, 1 patient with fundic patch, 1 with T-tube drainage, 1 with diaphragm patch, 1 with esophagectomy and esophageal fistula, and 1 with drainage. There were 6 cases of leakage (66%) and 2 deaths (22.2%).
Discussion & Conclusion: The mortality rate at this center was similar to the national rate (18%). Although patch operations such as fundic patch and intercostal muscle patch have come into use recently, direct suture is still the main treatment for spontaneous esophageal rupture at this center. The leakage rate in this operation was high, but precise drainage improved the morbidity rate. The leakage rate can probably be improved by peeling off as little of the tissue surrounding the esophagus as possible.
