Esophageal patching for an unsuturable tracheoesophageal fistula

Abstract

We herein report a case of unsuturable tracheoesophageal fistula developed after chemotherapy of a mediastinal lymphoma. Esophageal exclusion was primary performed to prevent continued contamination of the respiratory tract. In a second stage procedure the fistula was patched with the esophageal posterior wall and the digestive tract was restored by a substernal colic bypass. This case leads to discuss the management of extrinsic tumoral tracheal compression and reminds us of an old reported procedure for the cure of large tracheoesophageal fistula.