[Perforation of the abdominal esophagus and peritonitis (author's transl)].

Perforation of the abdominal esophagus is not exceptional, either after endoscopy of the esophagus or after surgery of hiatus hernia. The clinical symptoms are not always clear especially during surgery. Immediate diagnosis is however essential for any delay in treatment causes the mortality to rise from 15% to more than 60% for repairs carried out under septic conditions. The best surgical attitude is difficult to determine under these conditions.