Open AccessDiagnosis and surgical management of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas
Author(s) -
Coran A. G.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
diseases of the esophagus
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-2050
pISSN - 1120-8694
DOI - 10.1111/dote.12049
Subject(s) - medicine , tracheoesophageal fistula , surgery , esophagus , bronchoscopy , fibrous joint , general surgery
Summary Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula ( TEF ) is difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to repair. The key to the diagnosis is an adequate contrast study and bronchoscopy. The key to the repair is complete separation of the esophagus from the trachea, with the placement of viable tissue between the two suture lines. I have presented a personal experience with 38 consecutive repairs of recurrent TEFs . The original series of 26 patients had three recurrences, all of which were re‐repaired successfully. My more recent experience with the last 12 patients, who were far more complex, was also successful in ultimately repairing the recurrent TEFs .