Esophageal rupture by trauma is very rare in Japan, only nine cases being reported from 1970 to 1989. This patient was a 42-year-old man who suffered from traumatic rupture of the esophagus in a traffic accident. He was admitted to Takasaki National Hospital nine days after the accident, with fever and dyspnea.
Esophageal rupture was diagnosed by esophageal fluoroscopy only. The right pleural space was drained by thoracotomy. On the 15th day after the first thoracotomy, tracheotomy, gastrostomy, and substernal drainage were performed.
On the 12th day after the second operation, the right pleural space was drained by thoracotomy again.
In the third month after the first operation, closure of the esophageal rupture was confirmed by esophageal fluoroscopy. After four months of conservative treatment, he was discharged.
