Current Thoracic Surgery

Fistulas between the respiratory and digestive tract (trachea-esophageal, broncho-esophageal) can be congenital or acquired. Acquired fistulas due to malignancy can occur by direct invasion of the malignant tissue; or it may be a result of surgical treatment, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Although such fistulas occur during or shortly after treatment, it is unlikely that they will emerge long years after treatment. We report a case of late term broncho-esophageal fistula and an endoscopic treatment method in a patient who underwent left pneumonectomy for bronchial carcinoma. Treatment of the patient was accomplished with bronchoscopic placement of polyglycolic acid patch with surgical tissue glue into the fistula tract. Fistulas between trachea-bronchus and digestive tract should be kept in mind, after surgical interventions of neighborhood structures. Bronchoscopic interventions may be a treatment alternative in appropriate patients.