Endoscopic features and management of acquired tracheoesophageal fistula caused by esophageal foreign bodies in children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, endoscopic features and management of acquired tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) by esophageal foreign bodies in children.Methods:The clinical data and follow-up data of 21 children with acquired TEF who were treated in Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2008 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 21 cases with esophageal foreign bodies were button batteries, irregular iron sheets, game coins, jujube seed, animal bone sheets, and fish thorn.The statistical results suggested that the cases of button batteries were 7 cases (33.33%), 4 cases of jujube pit (19.05%), 3 cases of irregular iron (14.29%) and 3 cases of animal bone (14.29%), 2 cases of game coin (9.52%), 2 cases of fish thorn (9.52%). All foreign bodies were removed by endoscopy.Esophageal perforation with TEF was discovered in 17 cases (80.95%) during the operation.Esophageal perforation with TEF was found in 4 cases (19.05%) within 2 week after the operation, and no death occurred.A total of 13 case fistula size ≤5 mm (61.90%), 4 case fistula size>5 mm and ≤10 mm (19.05%) and 4 case fistula size >10 mm (19.05%). The treatment methods included gastrointestinal decompression and nasojejunal nutrition tube support in 10 cases (47.61%), gastrostomy and jejunostomy in 4 cases (19.05%), surgical repair in 4 cases (19.05%) and endoscopic titanium clip suture in 3 cases (14.29%). Five cases (23.81%) were healed in 3 months, 6 cases (28.57%) in 5 months, 4 cases (19.05%) in 8 months, and 2 cases (9.52%) in 12 months.Conclusions:Acquired TEF in children are mostly caused by special foreign bodies embedded in the esophagus, and endoscopic management is effective for fistulas with less trauma.Appropriate operation and intervention should be taken as early as possible.