Hematemesis and melena: Mallory-Weiss syndrome

The records of 29 patients with Mallory-Weiss tears diagnosed by endoscopy are reviewed. Ingestion of alcohol was a chief cause of bleeding. Single tears were the largest in number and 68% of the lacerations were seen just distal to the esophago-cardial junction. Lacerations occurred more frequently on the right lateral wall of cardia than on the left lateral wall. Most of these lesions were mild and could be treated medically except for two cases which were surgically treated.