Surgical management of Boerhaave's syndrome in a tertiary oesophagogastric centre.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to review the management and outcome of patients with Boerhaave's syndrome in a specialist centre between 2000-2007.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were grouped according to time from symptoms to referral (early, < 24 h; late, > 24 h). The effects of referral time and management on outcomes (oesophageal leak, reoperation and mortality) were evaluated.

RESULTS: Of 21 patients (early 10; late 11), three were unfit for surgery. Of the remaining 18, immediate surgery was performed in 8/8 referred early and 6/10 referred late. Four patients referred late were treated conservatively. Oesophageal leak (78% versus 12.5%; P < 0.05) and mortality (40% versus 0%; P < 0.05) rates were higher in patients referred late. For patients referred late, mortality was higher in patients managed conservatively (75% versus 17%; not significant).

CONCLUSIONS: The best outcomes in Boerhaave's syndrome are associated with early referral and surgical management in a specialist centre. Surgery appears to be superior to conservative treatment for patients referred late.