BACKGROUND: To correlate time period with death from esophageal perforation and tratment. METHODS: During the past 14 years (1987-2001), a series of 41 esophageal perforations, treated at Hospital do Andaraí, have been reported, and were studied. RESULTS: In 19 patients (46%), perforation was located in cervical esophagus, in 20 (49%) at the thoracic portion and in two (5%) at the intraabdominal segment. Twenty seven sustained gunshot wounds and two suffered stab wounds, seven followed esophageal endoscopy, one was due to foreign body, two were spontaneous, one ocurred during fixation of spinal colummn and one was postpneumonectomy. In the first 24 hours, mortality rate was 4%. Among those seen later, mortality rate was 44%.The interval from perforation to operation was less than 24 hours in 23 (56%) patients, and more than 24 hours in 18 (44%). CONCLUSIONS: The most important prognostic item in the treatment of these patients was the time between perforation and surgery.
Esophagus; Esophageal perforation; Mortality; Wounds and injuries; Treatment
