[Late surgical treatment of traumatic rupture of the oesophagus (author's transl)].

The article reports on a 21-year old patient admitted on an in-patient basis after compressed air injury with a severe open craniocerebral lesion, and in whom the diagnosis of rupture of the oesophagus was made two weeks later only. Late surgical management by means of oesophagus suture and sealing of the diaphragm, was successful. The article discusses the symptoms and possibilities of treatment of traumatic rupture of the oesophagus, basing on the present case, and surgical treatment is advocated even if the 48-hour limit has been exceeded.