• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.888-892
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• 1994

Acquired, traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula [TEF] is rare and difficult problem to manage. This 55 years old man met with a roller accident of a tractor. During accident, he received a penetrating injury on the left upper sternal border. At local clinic, he received closed thoracotomy drainage [CTD]for relief of pneumothorax[left]. Three days after CTD, he complained abdominal pain and hematemesis. The endoscopy revealed large ulcer at the stomach, so he received subtotal gastrectomy. On 10th day post subtotal gastrectomy, he developed aspiration and coughing from a TEF. The esophagogram showed large TEF at the mid-trachea level. So he transfered to our hospital for operation. This patient was operated on for late TEF three weeks after injury. We have used absorble 4-0 Vicryl sutures to repair trachea. We repair all esophageal injuries with two layers of nonabsorbable silk suture. Where suture line on the esophagus, the strap muscle was interposed for reinforcement. And for feeding, the feeding jejunostomy was performed. Postoperatively the osteomyelitis of the manubrium site was developed, so on the 30th postoperative day, an ostectomy of manubrium, both clavicle and fight 1st, 2nd ribs, and the pectoralis major musculo-cutaneous flap coverage were performed.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.68-71
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• 1996

Esophageal atresia(EA) with a double tracheoesophageal fistula(TEF) is rare. It accounts for only 0.7% of all cases of EA and TEF. A male newborn weighing 2860g was born by normal vaginal delivery at 41 weeks' gestation to a 27-year-old mother who had a normal pregnancy. But immediately developed recurrent choking and respiratory distress. Feeding tube was inserted and chest X ray showed the feeding tube coiled in the proximal pouch(T-2 level). With a preoperative diagnosis of EA and distal TEF, the thoracotomy was performed on the third day of life. At thoracotomy, TEF was proved to be a double fistula. Both fistulas were divided and an esophageal anastomosis was performed. The postoperative course was uncomplicated until the eighth postoperative day when a minor anastomotic leak. The patient was discharged at 103 days of age.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.206-213
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• 2021

Background: Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEFs) is a rare condition that requires complex surgical treatment. We analyzed the surgical outcomes of TEF reported in the literature and at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital using standardized techniques. Methods: This retrospective study included 8 patients diagnosed with acquired benign TEF between March 2010 and December 2019. The surgical method was determined based on the size of the fistula observed within the endoscope. Results: TEF occurred in 7 patients (87.5%) after intubation or tracheostomy and in 1 patient (12.5%) after esophageal surgery due to conduit necrosis. For tracheal management, 5 and 2 patients underwent tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis and primary repair, respectively. The median length of resection was 2.5 cm (range, 1.3-3.4 cm). For esophageal management, 6 patients underwent primary repair and 1 patient underwent esophageal diversion. One patient underwent TEF division with a stapler. Interposition of a muscle flap was performed in 2 patients. TEF recurrence, esophageal stenosis, and dehiscence or granulation occurred in 1, 1, and 2 patients, respectively. A long-term tracheostomy tube or T-tube was used in 2 patients for >2 months. Conclusion: Although TEF surgery is complex and challenging, good results can be achieved if surgical standards are established and experience is accumulated.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.41-44
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• 2012

Acquired tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) can occur rarely from various causes. Recently, cuff-related tracheal injury after endotracheal intubation with the orotracheal tube and tracheostomy cannula is the most common etiology of nonmalignant TEF. Since cuff-related TEF is usually preventable with proper selection of the cuffed tube and close monitoring of cuff pressure. Although most patients present increased secretions, recurrent pneumonia, or coughing after swallowing, a high index of suspicion is required in patients at risk for developing a TEF. Surgical correction for the defectis required. In most cases, primary closure of the esophageal defect and tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis give the best results.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.25-27
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• 2013

A 47-year-old man was referred for TEF. He underwent tracheostomy three months ago to maintain prolonged ventilator care. Computed tomography (CT) scan and fiberoptic examination showed bilateral vocal cord palsy with median fixation and about 2 inch sized long segmental tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) tract along the necrotic cricoid and tracheal cartilages. Narrow field total laryngectomy was performed to remove devitalized cartilages and mucosa, and repair TEF. He discharged without complication except mild stenotic change of tracheal fenestration 19 days later.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2002

Background : Acquired tracheoesophageal fistula(TEF) results mostly from Prolonged tracheal intubation and insertion of nasogastric tube. Although the incidence has decreased since the usage of low pressure, high volume cuff of endotracheal tube, it is seldom cured spontaneously and needs surgical treatment. Material and Methods : We have retrospectively reviewed five cases of TEF who underwent surgical treatment for cure from March, 1990 to September, 2001 and analyzed the cause, treatment, postoperative complications and prognostic factors. Results : Majority were men(80% : 4 of 5 patients) and the mean age was 29.4 years old(range, 11-58). The most predominant etiology was prolonged intubation or tracheostomy(80% : 4 of 5 patients) and 3 of 5 patients were treated by tracheal resection and end to end anastomosis with primary closure of esophagus. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients the most common complications were wound infection(4 cases) and esophageal leakage(2 cases). Extubation was done on postoperative day 11.5(range, 1-33) days, and factors causing delayed extubation were status esophagus. epilepticus, edema, and tracheal stenosis. Conclusion : Spontaneous closure of TEF is seldom possible and the surgical treatment of choice is tracheal resection and end to end anastomosis with primary repair of the esophagus. preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation and early extubation postoperatively are important factors for success.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2017

Purpose: Congenital esophageal atresia (CES) is a rare congenital disease. The severity of symptoms is variable; thus, diagnosis is difficult and tends to be delayed. CES is frequently accompanied by esophageal atresia (EA) with/without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). We investigated the characteristics of CES by reviewing our experience with CES patients and researched the differences between CES with EA-TEF and isolated CES. Methods: A total of 31 patients underwent operations for CES were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the association with EA-TEF, and compared the differences. Results: Sixteen boys and 15 girls were included. The mean age at symptom onset was 8 months old, and the mean age at diagnosis was 21 months old. Nine patients with EA-TEF were included group A, whereas the other 22 patients were assigned to group B. There were no differences in sex, gestational age, associated anomalies and pathologic results between the groups. In group A, the age at diagnosis and age at surgery were younger than in group B despite the age at symptom occurrence being similar. Postoperative complications occurred only in group A. Conclusion: In this study, symptoms occurred during the weaning period, and vomiting was the most frequent symptom. CES patients with EA-TEF tended to be diagnosed and treated earlier despite the age at symptom occurrence being similar. CES patients with EA-TEF had more postoperative complications; therefore, greater attention should be paid during the postoperative period.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2011

This study was aimed to evaluate associated congenital anomalies in the patients with esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF). Forty-two neonates with the diagnosis of EA/TEF treated over a 10 year period in a single institution were included in this study. The demography of EA/TEF was analyzed. Major associated anomalies including vertebral, anal, cardiac, renal, limb, neurologic and chromosome were reviewed and categorized. Males were slightly more dominant than females (1.47:1) and all patients had Gross type C EA/TEF. Only 19 % of the patients had solitary EA/TEF without associated anomalies. Cardiac anomalies were the most common associated congenital anomaly in patients with EA/TEF (73.8 %). But 47.6 % were cured spontaneously or did not affect patients' life. Atrial septal defect (ASD) was the most common cardiac anomaly followed by patent ductus arterious (PDA) and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Among gastrointestinal anomalies (23.8 %), anorectal malformations were the most frequent, 70 % Vertebral and limb abnormalities accounted for 11.9 % and urogenital malformations 9.5 % of the anomalies in patients with EA/TEF. VACTERL associated anomalies were 23.8 % and 1.8% had full VACTERL. Almost 12 % of EA/TEF had neurologic anomalies. Patients with EA/TEF require preoperative evaluation including neurologic evaluation to detect anomalies not related to VACTERL. Though associated cardiac anomaly occurred in 73.8 % of patients in our study, only 21.42 % needed surgical correction. The authors suggesrs further studies with large numbers of patients with EA/TEF.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.581-587
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• 1992

Tracheoesophageal fistula[TEF] is a rare but life-threatening lesion that may occur from ventilation with a cuffed tube. It occurs most frequently when an inlying esophageal tube is also being used-usually for feeding purposes. The mechanism of injury appears to be pressure experted on the tracheal wall by the cuff, which then compresses the "party wall" of the trachea and esophagus against the foreign body that lies in the esophagus. The patient was 32 years old female who had been receiving a treatment of respiratory failure induced by postoperative sepsis with assist ventilator and nasogastric tubal feeding. Sudden attack of abdominal gas distention and massive drainage of gas through N-G tube were developed during assist ventilation in that patient, so we diagnosed as tracheal stenosis with a tracheoesophageal fistula induced by prolonged endotracheal intubation We performed tracheal reconstruction and primary closure of perforated esophagus after weaning ventilator. The postoperative course was uneventiful.eventiful.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.892-895
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• 2008

H-type tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is extremely rare in infants and children, and clinical manifestations of this condition are diverse based on its severity. Some cases of congenital TEF diagnosed in adulthood have been reported, which indicate the difficulty of early diagnosis of this disease. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) may induce chronic aspiration, pulmonary aspiration, apparent life-threatening events, and failure to thrive. We report a 5-month-old boy whose recurrent pneumonia and wheezing did not improve under usual treatment and led to acute respiratory distress syndrome. He was found to have severe GER on the second-trial of the esophagogram and was eventually revealed to have congenital H-type TEF upon repeated evaluation.