[Boerhaave's syndrome. Apropos of 2 cases diagnosed at a late stage and treated by a combined surgical and radiologic approach].

Two cases of Boerhaave syndrome are presented which were diagnosed at a late stage. After failure of the primary suture of the perforation, the first case was treated by selective intubation of the oesophagus and percutaneous drainage of the abscess under radiological control. In the second case fistulization was produced first surgically, and secondly with drains of decreasing calibre being inserted percutaneously. The diagnosis of Boerhaave syndrome is often made at a late stage. In cases of important mediastinitis and after failure of primary suture, oesophageal exclusion and oesophagectomy are sometimes recommended. However, these procedures require repeated interventions with a significant morbidity. From this viewpoint a combination of controlled fistulization and percutaneous oesophageal intubation under radiological control is a valuable alternative.