Balumuka D Darius <br/><br/>
Oesophageal Perforation: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in a resource limited setting. A report of three cases 

 - Mwanza, Tanzania:    Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando]    
 -  CITATION] Oesophageal Perforation: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in a resource limited setting. A report of three cases BD Darius, PL Chalya, W Mahalu .
<br/><br/> Background: Oesophageal perforation is a condition associated with a high mortality. Its management is still controversial with operative treatment being favoured but a shift to conservative management is occurring. Very little exists in medical literature about its management in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the paucity of thoracic surgeons is compounded by limited diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. <br/><br/>Case Presentation: We report three cases of oesophageal perforation which were all treated conservatively with tube thoracostomy, nil by mouth with feeding gastrostomy, intravenous antibiotics and chest physiotherapy. Two patients achieved oesophageal healing but one died due to severe septicaemia 
<br/><br/><label>Publisher. No.: </label> Phone: +255 28 298 3384      Fax: +255 28 298 3386      Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz     Website: www.bugando.ac.tz