Boerhaave syndrome: a report of two cases

Two cases of Boerhaave's syndrome are reported. They were treated by surgery within 12 hours from the onset of symptoms. In both cases the perforation was located on the anterior wall of the distal third of the thoracic esophagus. In view of the rapid onset of severe complications, particularly mediastinitis, the role of early diagnosis in relation to prognosis, is stressed.