BACKGROUND: We evaluated the treatment of 11 patients with esophageal perforation. METHODS: A retrospective clinical review was undertaken of 11 cases of esophageal perforation treated by the author in the Getúlio Vargas Hospital, between September/2001 and March/2008. RESULTS: In six patients (54.5%), the site of the esophageal perforation was cervical esophagus, four (36.4%) at the thoracic portion and one (9.1%) at the abdominal segment. The lesion was induced by foreign bodies in five cases, stab wound in two and the others were gunshot wound, endoscopic instrumentation, ingestion of caustic substance and blunt abdominal trauma. Diagnosis and treatment were performed within the first 24 hours in three (27.3%) patients and after 24 hours in eight patient (72.7%). Conservative treatment was employed in two (18.2%) patients, with good outcome. Surgical treatment was performed in nine (81.9%) patients, with two deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal perforation is a serious condition, but an early and appropriate treatment can result in the survival for the majority of the patients.
Esophageal perforation; Esophagus; Wounds and injuries
