What is Boerhaave’s syndrome?

What is Boerhaave’s syndrome?

Boerhaave’s syndrome — also called effort rupture of your esophagus — is a perforation (hole or split) of your esophagus caused by forceful vomiting or excessive straining. Healthcare professionals call this a “spontaneous rupture,” to distinguish it from an “iatrogenic rupture,” which is caused by a direct injury.