Esophageal perforation is rarely observed but its mortality is high. Prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment is necessary.

We analyzed 11 patients who were diagnosed as esophageal perforations between the period of 1990 to 1998 in Akdeniz University Hospital. The localization of perforation, the diagnosis, the treatment and the results in esophageal perforations were discussed. Five of them were female and others male. Average age were 47 years (Range 2-73).

Primary etiology was usually corrosive esophagitis. In eight of cases perforations were observed after bougie dilatation. Perforations were observed at cervical esophagus in three, and thoracic in eight cases. Six cases were diagnosed early and were operated on. In five cases diagnosis were late and four of them were operated. Six of them were performed esophagectomy and gastric reconstruction, two primary repairs, one primary repair with silicon stent. We observed fistula in two cases (18%) that were diagnosed early and in three (27%) cases that were diagnosed late.

Intraluminal silicon stent were used for treatment of fistula in one case. Fistula was not observed in the case that was performed primary repair with stent. Two cases (18%) died.

As a result, early diagnosis and primary repair is the best choice of treatment in esophageal perforations. We suppose that stents may use in primary repair of esophageal perforation or treatment of fistula.