[Treatment of perforating mediastinitis]

In 1986-1994 at the Second Surgical Clinic in Olomouc Faculty Hospital and Medical Faculty 23 patients with perforating mediastinitis were treated. The treatment of this serious disease is associated with a 30% lethality. The cause of its development are complications after surgery of the oesophagus, more frequently operations in the area of the cardia but also damage during instrumental treatment of the upper digestive tract. The analysis draws attention to the risk of perforation of the oesophagus in different types of operations. The author emphasize the importance of early comprehensive intensive treatment, incl. support of respiratory functions.