Morbidity and mortality of oesophageal perforation

Abstract

Thirty-three patients with oesophageal perforation seen within a 20-year period are reviewed. Endoscopic perforation in patients with neoplastic disease of the oesophagus carried a 100% mortality despite early diagnosis and immediate resection of the growth. Only two deaths occurred after instrumental perforation of the thoracic oesophagus for benign pathology in patients who were in the extremes of life.