This is a report on a total of 11 cases of esophageal perforation in the department of thoracic surgery, Chonnam University Hospital during the period of 8 years from 1962 to 1969. They occurred by the following agents, that is,lye solution[7 cases], fish bone[2 cases]. compress air [one case], strong acid [one case]. The perforated portions of esophagus were cervical esophagus in 2 cases, upper third of esophagus in 5 cases, middle third of esophagus in 3 cases and lower third of esophagus [abdominal esophagus] in one case. 4 cases out of cases of esophageal perforation after ingestion of Lye solution were due to Bougination to improve esophageal stenosis: 2 cases occurred 2 months after ingestion of Lye solution and the remaining 2 cases, 2 to 3 weeks after Lye solution ingestion. Therefore, It is realized that Bougination for esephageal stricture by Lye solution is particularly dangerous. The complication after esophageal perforation were mediastinitis,[10 cases], right pyothorax with mediastinitis [8 cases], peritonitis [4 cases], esophago-bronchial fistula[one case]. Owing to the various complications above mentioned, surgical approach to esophageal perforation is accordingly complicated and a combination of more than two of the following different procedures were properly used case by case, that is. gastrostomy or jejunostomy for feeding and esophageal rest,thoracotomy and chest drainage, lung decortication for pyothorax, primary closure of compress air perforation and esophago-bronchial fistula, mediastinostomy, retrosternal esophagoplasty using right colon to Lye stricture etc. 5 cases[45. 5%] of 11 cases were expired and the rest of 6 cases[54.5%]were survived with complete accomplishment of surgical procedures and satisfactory healing in 4 cases and interruption of follow up in 2 cases because of poor economical condition of the patients.[KTCS 1969;1:147-154]