Traumatic perforation in carcinoma of the oesophagus

Abstract
Two cases of perforated oesophagus due to trauma at the time of examination and biopsy for carcinoma of the mid-thoracic oesophagus are presented. Both had undergone emergency surgical extirpation of growth. One patient, although operated on while still in a state of shock despite resuscitation, survived the procedure and is still alive after more than 5 years. The other case, which was considered to be unsuitable for surgical treatment due to her poor cardiac condition, died on the seventh postoperative day. The cause was probably sudden myocardial insufficiency.