Treatment strategies for Boerhaave syndrome: multinational retrospective cohort study

  • Tobias Hauge
  • , Aram Abu Hejleh
  • , Alberto Aiolfi
  • , Felix Berlth
  • , Luigi Bonavina
  • , Linda Brake
  • , Lena Christin Conradi
  • , Xavier Benoit D’Journo
  • , David Edholm
  • , Jessie Elliot
  • , Wietse Eshuis
  • , Nora Friedrich
  • , Suzanne Gisbertz
  • , Peter Grimminger
  • , Christian Alexander Gutschow
  • , Shantanu Joglekar
  • , Bastiaan Klarenbeek
  • , Fredrik Klevebro
  • , Cezanne D. Kooij
  • , Misha Luyer
  • Alfio Milazzo, Lucia Moletta, Johnny Moons, Krishna Moorthy, Beat P. Müller-Stich, Henrik Nienhüser, Philippe Nafteux, Giulia Nezi, Raphael Nico, Kerstin J. Neuschütz, Grard Nieuwenhuijzen, Nicola Raftery, Franziska Renger, Ioannis Rouvelas, Jelle P. Ruurda, Marcel A. Schneider, Daniela Polette Stubb, Alban Todesco, Michele Valmasoni, Mark I. Van Berge Henegouwen, Elke Van Daele, Richard Van Hillegersberg, Sander J.M. Van Hootegem, Hanne Vanommeslaeghe, Julie Veziant, Bas Wijnhoven, João Pedro Vilela, Christiane J. Bruns, Magnus Nilsson, Wolfgang Schröder*
*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: 

Boerhaave syndrome is defined as a spontaneous perforation of the oesophagus. The mainstay of treatment is resuscitation of the patient, closure of the oesophageal defect, and drainage of perioesophageal and pleural fluid collections. Whether the optimal approach is endoscopic, surgical, or conservative management remains unknown and there are no clear guidelines. The aim of this multicentre retrospective cohort study was to evaluate current treatment strategies and outcomes for Boerhaave syndrome. 

Methods: 

A multicentre retrospective analysis of data from 23 participating European tertiary centres was performed. Patients with Boerhaave syndrome treated between January 2019 and December 2023 were eligible for inclusion. The primary endpoint was the length of ICU stay and secondary endpoints included in-hospital mortality, 90-day mortality, and the length of overall hospital stay. 

Results: 

In total, 216 patients were included; 151 were men (70%), the median age was 62 (22–95) years, and 81 (40%) were treated >24 h after the start of symptoms. Seventy (32%) patients were managed endoscopically (group I), 73 (34%) were managed surgically (group II), 67 (31%) were managed using a combination of endoscopy and surgery (group III), and 6 (3%) were managed using other methods (group IV). For patients in groups I–III: the median length of ICU stay was 8 (0–67) days, with no differences between the three groups (P = 0.105); the in-hospital mortality rate and 90-day mortality rate were both 12% (P = 0.490 and P = 0.637, respectively); and the median length of overall hospital stay was 27 (range 1–193) days, with the longest stays observed in patients who received combined treatment (P = 0.032). 

Conclusion: 

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current treatment strategies and outcomes for patients with Boerhaave syndrome in Europe.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberznaf260
JournalBritish Journal of Surgery
Volume112
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of BJS Foundation Ltd. All rights reserved.

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