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  • Title: Acquired tracheoesophageal fistula in critically ill patients.
    Author: Wolf M, Yellin A, Talmi YP, Segal E, Faibel M, Kronenberg J.
    Journal: Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol; 2000 Aug; 109(8 Pt 1):731-5. PubMed ID: 10961805.
    Abstract:
    Acquired benign tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is an infrequent complication of prolonged intubation and tracheostomy. Not infrequently, it is associated with severe circumferential malacia of the trachea and a need for concomitant correction of both. Controversy exists as to whether this should be performed in a single-stage or a 2-stage procedure. Four patients with acquired TEF underwent operation in a tertiary referral medical center between 1995 and 1997. The operations were performed through either an anterior (3) or a lateral (1) neck approach. Three patients underwent closure of the fistula with tracheal resection and anastomosis in a single stage and are doing well. One patient with complete subglottic stenosis underwent closure of the TEF and was planned for tracheal reconstruction in a second stage. This patient died in the early postoperative period. The complications included aspiration of blood leading to pneumonia (2), spontaneously resolving pneumomediastinum (1), subcutaneous emphysema (2), and cardiac arrhythmia ( 1). Residual fistula, noted in 1 patient, was treated conservatively and resolved spontaneously within several weeks. We conclude that acquired TEF is amenable to repair through a cervical approach. A single-stage correction of the TEF with reconstruction of the trachea is suitable and successful in most patients. Several stages seem justified when concurrent laryngotracheal reconstruction is needed.
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