Acquired nonmalignant esophagotracheobronchial fistula: report of 36 cases.

Abstract

Acquired nonmalignant esophagotracheobronchial fistulas are rare. The chief causes are infection and trauma. The pathognomonic complaint is a strangulating sensation occurring several seconds after the ingestion of liquids or solids. Nine of the fistulas in our study were esophagotracheal and 27 were esophagobronchial. The fistula was delineated roentgenographically in every case in which radiopaque material was introduced into the esophagus. Bronchography should be used to exclude the presence of pulmonary complications which often develop during the course of this disease. These fistulas are best treated by direct surgical repair through a cervical or transpleural approach, depending on their location. The result was successful in 13 of the 14 patients treated by this method.