Repair of Tracheoesophageal Fistula under Laryngeal Microsurgery Approach: Case Report and Literature Review

ABSTRACT

Patients with tracheoesophageal fistula show signs of aspiration, possibly leading to pneumonia, which could be fatal to bed-ridden patients. Tracheoesophageal fistula occurs as a complication of intubation, tracheostomy tube insertion and nasogastric tube insertion. Possible etiology is pressure and ischemic necrosis given by tracheostomy tube and nasogastric tube to trachea and esophagus; or in some cases, larynx and hypopharynx. Meanwhile, for repair of tracheoesophageal fistula, transcervical approach can be considered but takes relatively long operation time and is not appropriate for patients with underlying diseases. We report a case of tracheoesophageal fistula complicated several years after tracheostomy tube and nasogastric tube insertion who came to medical attention with signs of aspiration. Authors successfully performed repair of the fistula under laryngeal microsurgery approach without skin incision and dissection, and thereby report the experience with review of literature.