Massive Hemorrhage From Esophagogastric Tears

Abstract

The Mallory-Weiss syndrome probably is more common than is generally recognized. Massive hemorrhage usually follows one or more bouts of violent retching and vomiting of nonbloody material. The possibility of esophagogastric tears should be kept in mind when operation is undertaken to control massive hemorrhage from the upper gastrointestinal tract, and a systematic examination of the cardio-esophageal area as well as of the stomach and duodenum should be carried out.

Eight cases of the syndrome are reported.