JOURNAL ARTICLE
MULTICENTER STUDY
OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Respiratory-digestive tract fistula: two-center retrospective observational study.

Background Aerodigestive fistulae can be defined as abnormal communications between the gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory tract. Choking after meals, coughing, feeding difficulties, tachycardia, and persistent pneumonia are the main presentations. The aim of our study was to review our experience in the management of 27 cases of acquired aerodigestive fistulae of different types, levels, and management. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study on 27 cases of fistulae between the respiratory and digestive tracts, which were managed in 2 hospitals in Saudi Arabia in the last 5 years. The patients comprised 16 females and 11 males, with a mean age of 29 years (range 17-67 years). Results The most common aerodigestive tract fistula was tracheoesophageal in 8 patients, followed by esophagobronchial in 6, and esophagopleural in 5. Four postendoscopic fistulae were included. The least common were gastropleural and esophagopulmonary fistulae. The most common etiologies were iatrogenic and esophageal cancer, and the least common was blunt chest trauma. The main presentations were fever, chocking after or during meals, and tachycardia. We used various modalities of treatment: conservative, cervical repair, thoracoabdominal repair, hybrid insertion of a T-tube, endoscopic esophageal stenting, and endoscopic clipping of the fistulous tract. During follow-up, 6 patients died due to advanced esophageal cancer in 5 and upper airway obstruction after iatrogenic tracheobronchial fistula in one. Conclusion Acquired aerodigestive fistula is a devastating condition that should be managed early and aggressively by a multidisciplinary team.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app