Traumatic perforations

What is the incidence of perforation limited to the esophageal wall after pneumatic dilation?
J.S. Barkin (Miami) 

What is the rate of esophageal perforation after pneumatic dilatation for achalasia?
D.J. Ott, M.Y.M. Chen (Winston-Salem) 

What is the rate of esophageal perforation during and post-myotomy?
C.A. Pellegrini, A. Porter (Seattle), M.G. Patti (San Francisco) 

What are the indications for conservative treatment in perforations following dilatations? Is leakage not often confined to the peri-esophageal region? Does the esophageal lavage preceding dilatation represent an important argument for this attitude?
A.W. Dellipiani, A.R. Tanner, A.L.G. Peel (Cleveland) 

Is a mechanical suture advisable?
B. Gayet, T. Perniceni (Paris) 

How should drainage be performed?
B. Gayet, T. Perniceni (Paris) 

Salvage surgery for esophageal perforation
H. Obertop, M.J. Boom, J.J.B. van Lanschot (Amsterdam) 

Spontaneous perforations

Are embolization techniques of value?
V. Vilgrain (Paris) 

What is the relationship between the Mallory-Weiss syndrome and spontaneous rupture of the lower esophagus?
B. Gayet, T. Perniceni (Paris) 

Is the esophagus necessarily previously inflamed?
B. Gayet, T. Perniceni (Paris) 

What is the role of a cricopharyngeus spasm in functional obstruction of the proximal esophagus?
T. Lerut (Leuven) 

Is abnormal esophageal function related to pathologic GERD or to the rupture itself?
J.A Salo (Helsinki) 

What is the frequency of atypical presentations of Boerhave's syndrome?
J. Henderson (Ottawa) 

What is the comparative value of contrast esophagogram, computed tomography and fibroscopy in patients with suspected esophageal perforation?
F.H. Miller (Chicago), G.G. Ghahremani, R.M. Gore (Evanston) 

What are the indications for conservative management of spontaneous esophageal perforations? In such cases, what is the best choice for nutritional support?
A. Munro (Inverness) 

What surgical attitude should be adopted towards the esophagus itself?
J.A. Salo, J. Salminen, V. Toikkanen, O.J. Rämö (Helsinki) 

What is the value of reinforcement of the repair or creation of a controlled fistula?
R.J. Finley (Vancouver) 

What is the long-term outcome and functional state of patients with spontaneous esophageal rupture?
J.A. Salo, J. Salminen, V. Toikkanen, O.J. Rämö (Helsinki) 

Is a cure for GERD likety to be achieved by the end of the century?
R.C. Orlando (New Orleans)