Boerhaave's syndrome: A review of our experience over the last 16 years

Abstract

Objective: Report our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of Boerhaave syndrome by retrospective study from 1997 to 2013. Patients and methods: A retrospective study was conducted covering the time frame of 1997 to 2013. Results: There were a total of 5 men (71%) and 2 women (29%) and the mean age was 54 years (range: 33-80 years). Diagnosis was made through computed tomography scan in 5 cases (71%) and esophagogram in 2 cases (19%). Six patients (86%) had emergency surgery, whereas one case (14%) was managed conservatively. The surgical technique employed was primary suture and repair in 4 patients (67%) and esophageal resection and subsequent cervical esophagostomy in 2 patients (33%). Conclusions: Boerhaave's syndrome is a clinically rare entity with an elevated mortality rate. Therefore, a high degree of suspicion is necessary for making the diagnosis and providing early treatment that can result in improved outcome.

Keywords

• Boerhaave
• Esophagus
• Perforation spontaneous
• Mediastinitis