The authors evaluate in detail a group of 16 patients with internal perforations of the hypopharynx or oesophagus during a 51-year period. The cause of injury was endoscopic examina- tion; in 12 patients it was endoscopy on account of a foreign body in the deglutitive pathways. In two patients dilatation of a stenosis was performed and in the subsequent two diagnostic flexible endoscopies. Injuries in the upper third of the oesophagus predominate (nine patients) over perforations in the lower third of the oesophagus (five patients) and in the piriform recess (two patients). In the diagnosis a crucial part is played by examination of the passage of the deglutitive pathways by aquoeus contrast material which confirmed perforation of the deglutitive pathways in 13 pati- ents. Ten patients were treated conservatively and four by surgery. A total of five patients died incl. two where perforation of the deglutitive pathways was found only post mortem. The authors refer to contemporary views in the literature regarding treatment of perforations of the deglutitive pathways.

        Key words: perforation injury, endoscopy, oesophagus, piriform recess, treatment.