Instrumental perforation of the esophagus.

A report is given of 26 instrumental perforations of the esophagus from January-June 1950 to April 1961. Nineteen of the perforations occurred at the University Hospital, Lund, or at Malmo during 3964 esophagoscopies, representing 0.51 %, and four at other hospitals. The remaining three occurred during instrumental manipulation other than esophagoscopy. Eleven patients were operated upon and 15 were given medical treatment. There were three deaths among the operated cases and five deaths among the cases treated medically. Some aspects of treatment, as well as diagnosis, level and frequency of perforation, are discussed.