Chonnam Med J.  1995 Dec;31(2):327-332.

Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Rupture of the Esophagus (Boerhaave's syndrome)

• Na KJ
• Byun HS
• Kim SH

Abstract

The spontaneous repture of the esophagus is an uncommon disease and an intrathoracic catastrope which is universally fatal if untreated immediately. We had experienced one case of Boerhaave's syndrome at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chonnam University Medical School. He was 56 year-old male who complained severe chest pain with sudden vomiting after heavy drinking. After the ruptured esophagus were diagnosed by the esophagography, the operation was performed. About a 2.5 cm in length repture was found at the lower one third of the esophagus and was primarilly sutured. On the 8th postoperative day, the right pleural effusion, pulmonary edema in diffuse both lung fields and preseptic condition (leukocytosis, drowsy mental state, tachypnea and tachycardia, and hypotension) were noted and he received a intensive treatment (closed thoracostomy and ventilatory therapy) in ICU. He was weaned from ventilator after 48 hours. He dischanged with good condition and he is living comportably.

Keyword

Rupture of Esophagus; Boerhaave's syndrome

MeSH Terms

Chest Pain
Drinking
Esophagus*
Humans
Jeollanam-do
Lung
Male
Middle Aged
Pleural Effusion
Pulmonary Edema
Rupture, Spontaneous*
Schools, Medical
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Thoracostomy
Ventilators, Mechanical
Vomiting