Skip to main content
Log in

Tracheoesophageal fistula: New option in management

  • Clinical Report
  • Published:
Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Green RP, Biller HF, Sicular A.Cervical Tracheoesophageal fistula.Laryngoscope 1983;93:364–369.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Mellins, R.:Acquired fistula between the Esophagus and the respiratory tract.New Engl. J. Med. 1952;246(23):896–901.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Gudovsky LM, Koroleva NS, Biryukov YB.Tracheoesophageal fistulas.Ann Thorac Surg. 1993;55:868–875.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Mathisen DJ, Grillo HC, Wain JC.Management of acquired non malignant Tracheoesophageal fistula.Ann Thorac Surg 1991;52:759:765.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Thomas AN.The diagnosis and treatment of Tracheoesophageal fistula caused by cuffed tracheal tube.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1973;65:612–619.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Thomas AN.Management of Tracheoesophageal fistula caused by cuffed tracheal tubes.Am J Surg 1972;124:181.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bartlett RH.A procedure for management of acquired Tracheoesophageal fistula in ventilator patients.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1976;71:89.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Utley JR, Dillon ML, Todd EP, et al.Giant Tracheoesophageal fistula.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1978;75:373.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Harley HR.Ulcerative Tracheoesophageal fistula during treatment by tracheostomy and intermittent positive pressure ventilation.Thorax 1972;27:338–52.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Flege JB:Tracheoesophageal fistula caused by cuffed tracheostomy tube.Ann Surg 1967;166:153.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. 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.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Hedden M, Ersoz CJ, Safar P.Tracheoesophageal fistulas following prolonged artificial ventilation via cuffed tracheostomy tubes.Anaesthesiology.1969;31:281–89.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. 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.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. 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.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Knowlson GTG, Bassett HFM.The pressures exerted on the trachea by endotracheal inflatable cuffs.Br J Anaesth 1970;42:34–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Stauffer JL, Olsen DE, Petty TL.Complications and consequences of endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy.Am J Med. 1981;70:65–76.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Hilgenberg AD, Grillo HC.Acquired non malignant Tracheoesophageal fistula.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1983;85:492–98.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Bugge-Asperhiem B, Birkeland S, Storen G.Tracheoesophageal fistula caused by cuffed endotracheal tubes.Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1981, 15:315–319.

    Google Scholar 

  19. 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.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Miguel RV, Graybar G, Subaiya L, et al.Emergency management of tracheal rupture.South Med Jour 1985;78:1132–35.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Gaynor EB, Greenberg SB, Untoward sequelae of prolonged intubation.Laryngoscope 1985;95:1461–67.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. 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.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Grillo H.C., Moncure AC, McEnany MT.Repair of inflammatory Tracheoesophageal fistula.Annals of Thoracic Surg 1976;22:112–19.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Shaari Christopher, Biller HF.Staged repair of cervical tracheoesophageal fistulae.Laryngoscope 1996;106:1398–1402.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints 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

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03050850

Key words

Navigation