Endoscopic clipping of spontaneous esophageal rupture: Case reports of three patients.

INTRODUCTION

Spontaneous esophageal rupture is a life-threatening condition which is difficult to diagnose early, and is usually treated surgically. Prolonged hospitalization is common. Non-operative treatment of esophageal rupture localized to the mediastinum has been reported. We report three patients with spontaneous esophageal rupture successfully managed with endoscopic clipping.

CASE PRESENTATIONS: Two patients had ruptures localized to the mediastinum, and were discharged within one week of undergoing closure. The third patient presented with Boerhaave's syndrome with a leak into the pleural space and needed prolonged hospitalization (34days), but she did not need surgery and began oral intake two days after endoscopic clipping. The patient had an uneventful recovery.