[Justification for subtotal esophagectomy in late spontaneous esophageal rupture]

A patient is presented who was operated for an intestinal obstruction and developed in the immediate postoperative period Boerhaave's syndrome. Subtotal esophagectomy with bipolar exclusion was performed. We discuss the advantages of radical surgery, even in advanced cases, if the size of the lesion justifies it, as compared to more conservative therapeutic attitudes.