Tracheoesophageal fistula: New option in management

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006 Jul;58(3):300-2. doi: 10.1007/BF03050850.

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.

Keywords: Nasogastric tube; Tracheoesophageal fistula(TEF); Tracheostomy; esophageal stent; trichloroacetic Acid (TCA).