[A case of spontaneous esophageal rupture treated with esophagectomy]

Although the rupture of the esophagus is frequently a catastrophic event leading to lethal consequences, the mortality and morbidity rate can be significantly lessened by early diagnosis and nutritional management. Early recognition and intensive treatment of this condition are essential and life saving. Multiple techniques, often complex, are necessary to treat the disease, especially when the diagnosis is delayed. A 52-year-old women suffered from severe back pain after vomiting during breakfast, and was admitted to our hospital. Next morning bilateral massive pleural effusion was recognized, and chest drainage tubes were inserted into the bilateral pleural cavity. Three days after admission, drainage fluid changed to be mucous and dark green. Esophagography with Gastrografin demonstrated leakage from right wall of the lower esophagus. A right thoracotomy was performed 83 hours after the onset. In the lower esophagus, there was a longitudinal tear 3 cm in length and the mediastinum was significantly inflamed. So we decided to perform esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy through ante-thoracic wall route. The right pleural cavity was debrided and thoroughly irrigated with saline. After chest drain removal, right hemothorax occurred in the postoperative period, but she had good recovery and was discharged from our hospital 2 months after the esophagectomy.