Background

Tracheo-innominate artery fistula (TIF) is a rare but fatal complication after tracheotomy, with an incidence varying from 0.1 to 1.0% [1]. Innominate artery transection, one of the surgical treatments in TIF, typically requires full or partial median sternotomy [2]. However, the surgical field is not aseptic in cases of tracheal fistula, which poses a risk of sternal osteomyelitis after sternotomy. As these patients often have severe neuromuscular disorders such as opisthotonos, which lead to increased mechanical pressure between the cervical spine and innominate vein, or have often undergone prolonged mechanical ventilation, less invasive surgical procedures are preferred. Here, we report two cases wherein the patients developed TIF and were successfully treated with brachiocephalic trunk transection without median sternotomy. Additionally, one of our patients had persistent bleeding and we created a bloodless operating field using balloon catheter occlusion.

Case presentation

Case 1

An 18-year-old man was referred to our hospital with bleeding from a tracheal stoma; the bleeding had ceased prior to admission. The patient had undergone tracheostomy due to hypoxic encephalopathy 4 years prior. Bronchoscopy showed an ulcer with the innominate artery at the base of the anterior surface of the trachea. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed the innominate artery to be in contact with the anterior surface of the trachea. TIF was suspected, and innominate artery transection was performed. The patient was placed in the supine position with the neck extended, and we made a cervical collar incision. We cut the platysma, anterior cervical muscle, and sternal head of right sternocleidomastoid muscle and exposed the right common carotid artery, right subclavian artery, and innominate artery, respectively. The TIF was not revealed when we cut the innominate artery anterior wall open; hence, we opted for preventive surgical intervention. Innominate artery transection was performed, and the stumps were closed with 5–0 polypropylene continuous suture. The post-operative course was uneventful, and we did not detect rebleeding, wound infection, and aneurysmal change of the aortic stump at the 3-year follow-up.

Case 2

A 14-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with bleeding from a tracheal stoma. The patient had undergone tracheostomy due to acute encephalopathy 12 years prior. On admission, temporary control of bleeding was achieved by overinflating the cuff of the tracheotomy tube. CECT revealed the innominate artery to be in contact with the anterior surface of the trachea (Fig. 1). TIF was suspected, and innominate artery transection was performed through a supra-sternal collar incision and exposed the right common carotid artery, right subclavian artery, and innominate artery in the same manner as in Case 1 (Fig. 2a). Due to the persistent bleeding when the cuff of the tracheotomy tube deflated, we inserted a 6-French Fogarty balloon catheter (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) from the distal side of the innominate artery to the aortic arch and expanded the balloon to create an occlusion. Balloon occlusion allowed for a bloodless field; thus, we were able to expose the proximal side of the innominate artery safely. After we sufficiently exposed the proximal side of the innominate artery, a cross clamp was simultaneously applied with balloon catheter withdrawal. We performed transection of the innominate artery, and the proximal and distal stumps were closed with 5–0 polypropylene continuous suture. Communication of the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery at the distal stump was maintained. The TIF was revealed when we cut the anterior wall of the innominate artery (Fig. 2b). Pathological analysis of the TIF revealed intramural neutrophilic infiltration in the innominate artery, and that the tracheal tissue was attached to the adventitia (Fig. 3). Post-operative CECT revealed that the innominate artery was transected and isolated from the site of tracheostomy (Fig. 4). The post-operative course was uneventful, and we did not detect rebleeding, wound infection, and aneurysmal change of the aortic stump more than 2 years after surgery.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Pre-operative CECT in Case 2. Pre-operative CECT revealed that the innominate artery ran close to the anterior surface of the trachea. The part of the wall is irregular; therefore, it appeared to form a fistula in the site (CECT: contrast-enhanced computed tomography)

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Fig. 2
figure 2

a, b: Operative views in Case 2. a We exposed the RCCA, RSCA, and INNA, respectively. b The TIF was revealed when we cut the anterior wall of the innominate artery (indicated by the white arrow) open (RCCA: right common carotid artery; RSCA: right subclavian artery; INNA: innominate artery)

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Fig. 3
figure 3

Neutrophilic infiltration and tracheal attachment to the adventitia in Case 2. Microscopic findings of the TIF (indicated by the black arrow) revealed intramural neutrophilic infiltration in the innominate artery and the attachment of tracheal tissue to adventitia. (stain, HE; magnification, × 10)

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Fig. 4
figure 4

Post-operative CECT in Case 2. Post-operative CECT revealed the innominate artery, which was successfully transected (CECT: contrast-enhanced computed tomography)

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Discussion and conclusions

The management of patients with TIF includes endovascular stenting and surgical intervention. Although endovascular stenting is less invasive and simpler to perform, there is an increased risk of rebleeding and infection. Previous reports suggest that endovascular stenting should be used as a bridge to successful surgical intervention [1, 3], and we have no objection to it.

As previously mentioned, innominate artery transection typically requires a sternotomy. Fujimoto et al. advocated that innominate artery transection through the suprasternal approach is less invasive compared to previous partial or full sternotomy, and recommended preventive surgical intervention for the patients who are more likely to develop TIF [4]. The case that they reported was not due to continuous bleeding from the innominate artery. In our first case, bleeding was controlled pre-operatively, and the operation proceeded without any problems using the method proposed by Fujimoto et al. However, in cases with continuous bleeding, like case 2 in our study, fatal bleeding from TIF could occur; hence, we devised a safer operative technique utilizing balloon occlusion of the innominate artery.

When deciding on an appropriate procedure, CECT after hemostasis is the most important examination. Three-dimensional image reconstruction allows for the visualization of the positional relationship between the innominate artery and the sternum. If most of the innominate artery is located cranially, or at a level equal to that of the suprasternal notch, an approach without sternotomy can be selected. Furthermore, using a balloon catheter seems safe and effective in cases of suspected continuous bleeding. In our hospital, the surgical cases of TIF are only two cases that we demonstrated, and the accumulation of more cases is expected.