[Esophagus perforation--treatment and results]

Esophageal perforation is most often caused by instrumental lesion during endoscopy. Mortality is still high; underlying malignant disease, septic complications and cardiopulmonary problems are endangering the patient. In small perforation with poor clinical symptoms, conservative treatment (i.e. antibiotics, gastric suction, parenteral nutrition) should be considered. We could treat in this way more than 50% of our cases. On the other hand, some patients require agressive surgical procedures, e.g. cervical esophagostomy gastrostomy and disconnection of esophageal continuity.