[Conservative treatment of esophagus ruptures and perforations. Esophageal diversion by minimal pharyngostomy].

In ruptures or perforation of the oesophagus, the difficult choice between conservative methods (suture or drainage) and total exclusion of the organ can be avoided by minimal pharyngostomy. This procedure, which supersedes lateral oesophagostomy and makes use of an aspiration silicone-lined catheter to divert the oesophageal contents, is simple, rapid, effective and reversible. It is carried out in a region devoid of dangerous anatomical variants, in the avascular space below the greater cornu of the hyoid bone (a palpable landmark), the incision being made on the convexity of a curved clamp which pushes back the pharyngeal wall at the level of the sinus pyriformis. This technique has been used in 13 patients with satisfactory results.