Prolonged Emesis Causing Esophageal Perforation: A Case Report

Transmural esophageal rupture or Boerhaave syndrome carries a high mortality rate due to delayed diagnosis and treatment. The heterogeneity of symptoms, age, comorbidities, and the severity of illness in this group of patients add to the difficulty of the management of Boerhaave syndrome. It generally occurs in the distal part of the esophagus and may result in the leakage of gastric contents into the thoracic cavity leading to mediastinal necrosis and bacterial infection. The management relies on prompt detection and intervention with conservative care and/or surgical repair. Early recognition within 24 hours followed by primary repair of the esophagus with mediastinal and chest drainage is associated with a 90% survival rate.