Abstract
Tracheoesophageal fistula is a life threatening condition. Patients not managed surgically ultimately die of their disease. Surgical management is the treatment of choice. We present a case of a patient that developed a tracheoesophageal fistula after tracheostomy. Surgical repair was done which failed due to infection. The patient was managed with the help of an esophageal stent and Trichloroacetic Acid cautery. This approach can be used in selected patients, depending upon the size and site of TEE Larger fistulae and those situated lower down e.g. supra carinal cannot be managed by this technique.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Green RP, Biller HF, Sicular A.Cervical Tracheoesophageal fistula.Laryngoscope 1983;93:364–369.
Mellins, R.:Acquired fistula between the Esophagus and the respiratory tract.New Engl. J. Med. 1952;246(23):896–901.
Gudovsky LM, Koroleva NS, Biryukov YB.Tracheoesophageal fistulas.Ann Thorac Surg. 1993;55:868–875.
Mathisen DJ, Grillo HC, Wain JC.Management of acquired non malignant Tracheoesophageal fistula.Ann Thorac Surg 1991;52:759:765.
Thomas AN.The diagnosis and treatment of Tracheoesophageal fistula caused by cuffed tracheal tube.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1973;65:612–619.
Thomas AN.Management of Tracheoesophageal fistula caused by cuffed tracheal tubes.Am J Surg 1972;124:181.
Bartlett RH.A procedure for management of acquired Tracheoesophageal fistula in ventilator patients.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1976;71:89.
Utley JR, Dillon ML, Todd EP, et al.Giant Tracheoesophageal fistula.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1978;75:373.
Harley HR.Ulcerative Tracheoesophageal fistula during treatment by tracheostomy and intermittent positive pressure ventilation.Thorax 1972;27:338–52.
Flege JB:Tracheoesophageal fistula caused by cuffed tracheostomy tube.Ann Surg 1967;166:153.
Cooper J.D., Grillo HC.The evolution of tracheal injury due to ventilatory assistance through cuffed tubes: a pathological study.Anals of Surgery.1969;169:334–48.
Hedden M, Ersoz CJ, Safar P.Tracheoesophageal fistulas following prolonged artificial ventilation via cuffed tracheostomy tubes.Anaesthesiology.1969;31:281–89.
Kastanos N, Estopa Miro R, Marin Perez A, et al.Laryngotracheal injury due to endotracheal intubation: Incidence, evolution and pre disposing factors. A long term study.Crit Care Med 1983;11:362–67.
Seegobin RD, van Hasselt GL.Endostracheal cuff pressure and tracheal mucosal blood flow: Endoscopic study of effects of four large volume cuffs.Br Med J. 1984;288:965–68.
Knowlson GTG, Bassett HFM.The pressures exerted on the trachea by endotracheal inflatable cuffs.Br J Anaesth 1970;42:34–37.
Stauffer JL, Olsen DE, Petty TL.Complications and consequences of endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy.Am J Med. 1981;70:65–76.
Hilgenberg AD, Grillo HC.Acquired non malignant Tracheoesophageal fistula.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1983;85:492–98.
Bugge-Asperhiem B, Birkeland S, Storen G.Tracheoesophageal fistula caused by cuffed endotracheal tubes.Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1981, 15:315–319.
El-Naggar M, Sadagopan S, Levine H, et al.Factor influencing choice between tracheostomy and prolonged translaryngeal intubation in acute respiratory failure: a prospective study.Anesth and Analg 1976;55:195–201.
Miguel RV, Graybar G, Subaiya L, et al.Emergency management of tracheal rupture.South Med Jour 1985;78:1132–35.
Gaynor EB, Greenberg SB, Untoward sequelae of prolonged intubation.Laryngoscope 1985;95:1461–67.
Kelly JP, Webb WR, Moulder PV, et al.Management of airway trauma. II: Combined injury of the trachea and esophagus.Annals of Thoracic Surgery 1987;43:160–63.
Grillo H.C., Moncure AC, McEnany MT.Repair of inflammatory Tracheoesophageal fistula.Annals of Thoracic Surg 1976;22:112–19.
Shaari Christopher, Biller HF.Staged repair of cervical tracheoesophageal fistulae.Laryngoscope 1996;106:1398–1402.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Singhal, S.K., Virk, R.S., Dass, A. et al. Tracheoesophageal fistula: New option in management. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 58, 300–302 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03050850
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03050850