Objective To explore the diagnostic approach and the idea of timely treatment for the spontaneous rupture of the esophagus (SRE) for improvement of the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods The relative clinical data and operation method of 16 cases SRE (4 cases of midpiece SREs and 12 cases of lower SRE) collected from February 1999 to June 2011 were analyzed retrospectively.There were one place breach in 16 cases of SRE with a broken length of 1.5 ～5 cm (2.6 ± 1.1 )cm,including 11 cases broken into the left breast,2 into right chest,and 3 no chest broken into.The main symptoms included intense thoracoabdominal pain,fever,difficulty in breathing,and shock.Ten cases of hydropneumothorax and 5 cases of subcutaneous emphysema were found with physical examination.Results Eleven cases were repaired within 24 hours and 5 cases were repaired after 24 hours.The esophaguses of 16 cases were sutured disconnectedly by absorbable suture line,to which omentum majus were sutured and fixed.Improved resisting backflow operation was carried out for 16 cases which got through the perioperative period smoothly and no deaths.There was no esophageal narrow in follow-up visit,otherwise,there were 2 refluxes that relieved significantly through conservative treatment.Conclusions It is the key to treat SRE that early diagnosis and exploration operation through cutting thorax after definite diagnosis,closing broken hole in order to rebuild the alimentary canal on which omentum majus was covered and fixed for the purpose of insuring continuity of digestive tract.