[A case of spontaneous esophageal rupture successfully treated with a pedicled omental flap]

We experienced a case of spontaneous esophageal rupture. A 64-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with shock because of a severe epigastralgia after vomiting. We suspected spontaneous esophageal rupture by the mediastinal air and left pleural effusion of a chest X-ray film of first visit, and diagnosed it by esophagography, then operated 8 hours later the onset. On operation, following the primary closure the esophageal rupture, the pedicled omental flap was applied over the suture site. He complicated renal failure and multiple organ failure, but not leakage postoperatively. In a review of clinical cases seen in the literature, we recommend early operation and the adjunctive use of the pedicled omental flap.