[Barotraumatic rupture of the esophagus : a case report (author's transl)]

A case of barotraumatic rupture of the thoracic esophagus with a favorable outcome is reported, and the 12 cases found in the published literature reviewed. Mortality was 3 out of 5 in unoperated cases, and only 1 out of 7 in the patients treated by surgery. This emphasizes the need for early diagnosis, thoracotomy for esophageal repair, drainage by-passing digestive secretions, and parenteral feeding, this constituting the best guarantee in the fight against mediastinitis.