Management of anastomotic leakage-induced tracheobronchial fistula following oesophagectomy: the role of endoscopic stent insertion.

OBJECTIVES: Tracheobronchial fistulas are rare but life-threatening complications after oesophagectomy. Leakage of the oesophagointestinal anastomosis with inflammatory involvement of the tracheobronchial tree is the predominant reason for postoperative fistulization between the airways and the oesophagus or the gastric tube. Successful management is challenging and still controversially discussed. After promising results in the treatment of intrathoracic anastomotic leaks, we adopted endoscopic stent implantation as the primary treatment option in patients with anastomotic leak-induced tracheobronchial fistula. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility, the limits and the results of this procedure.

METHODS: Between January 2004 and December 2010, 222 consecutive patients underwent oesophageal resection mainly for oesophageal cancer. An anastomotic leak-induced tracheobronchial fistula was bronchoscopically verified in seven patients. Four patients received endoscopic implantation of either a self-expanding tracheal or oesophageal stent or both as primary treatment. Surgical re-exploration was mandatory in 2 patients because of necrosis of the pulled-up gastric tube or gangrene of the airways. One patient was conservatively managed.

RESULTS: Endoscopic stent placement was successfully accomplished in all 4 patients. Two patients received an oesophageal stent, one patient a tracheal stent and one patient both an oesophageal and a tracheal stent. Closure of the fistula was achieved in all cases and 3 patients finally recovered while one died by reason of respiratory failure. In both surgical re-explored patients resection of the gastric tube was performed, and in one patient, because of subtotal gangrene of the right bronchial tree, emergency pneumectomy was also mandatory. Both patients died due to severe sepsis and respiratory failure. The one conservatively treated patient died from severe pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of anastomotic leak-induced tracheobronchial fistulas by means of oesophageal and tracheal stent implantation is feasible. If stent insertion is limited by gastric tube necrosis or bronchial gangrene, the prognosis is likely to be fatal.