Abstract
An operated case of spontaneous esophageal rupture associating with empyema which developed 12 days after the rupture is experienced. A 54-year-old male was referred to the hospital 7 days after the onset of the disease. Since enlargement of the empyemic cavity was observed after conservative treatment, an operation was performed. After thoracotomy and laparotomy with an incision of the diaphragm, the thickened parietal pleurea was resected, and the ruptured site of the esophagus was sutured. To prevent suture failure, the suture site, esophagus, and surrounding area were covered with a pedicled omental flap. His postoperative course was uneventiful without esophageal failure, esophageal stenosis at the site covered with the flap, or postoperative reflux esophagitis. Hospital stay was as short as 24 days after the operation.
This surgical procedure was very useful in this patient with spontaneous esophageal rupture in whom the timing of direct suturing of the ruptured site was missed due to delayed diagnosis.
