Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus

• Published in: British journal of surgery Vol. 95; no. 9; pp. 1115 - 1120
• Main Authors: Griffin, S. M., Lamb, P. J., Shenfine, J., Richardson, D. L., Karat, D., Hayes, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.09.2008; Wiley
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Contrast Media - administration & dosage; Drainage; Early Diagnosis; Esophageal Diseases - diagnosis; Esophageal Diseases - mortality; Esophageal Diseases - therapy; Female; General aspects; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Length of Stay; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Rupture, Spontaneous; Thoracotomy - methods; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Medicine; Treatment; Surgery; Spontaneous; Rupture; Esophagus
• ISSN: 0007-1323; 1365-2168
• DOI: 10.1002/bjs.6294

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnosis, management and outcome of patients with spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus in a single centre. Methods: Between October 1993 and May 2007, 51 consecutive patients with spontaneous oesophageal rupture were evaluated with contrast radiology and flexible endoscopy. Patients with limited contamination who fulfilled specific criteria were managed by a non‐operative approach, whereas the remainder underwent thoracotomy. Results: The median time to diagnosis was 24 (range 4–604) h. Initial diagnosis was by contrast swallow in 18 of 24 patients, computed tomography in 15 of 17 and endoscopy in 18 of 18. There were no deaths among 17 patients who were managed non‐operatively with targeted drainage, intravenous antimicrobials, nasogastric decompression and enteral nutrition. Of 31 patients who underwent primary thoracotomy and oesophageal repair (over a $\font\ss=cmss10 scaled 1000 \hbox{T}$ tube in 29), 11 died in hospital. Three patients could not be resuscitated adequately and did not have surgical intervention. Conclusion: Spontaneous oesophageal rupture represents a spectrum of disease. Accurate radiological and endoscopic evaluation can identify those suitable for radical non‐operative treatment and those who require thoracotomy. Copyright © 2008 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Still a condition with high mortality