title: Median sternotomy and use of a pedicled sternocleidomastoid muscle flap in the management of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula.
abstract: Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula may complicate primary repair of congenital tracheoesophageal fistula. Standard treatment involves repair via a right lateral thoracotomy and use of adjacent soft tissues to separate the suture lines of the fistulous openings. The authors describe an alternative approach via a median sternotomy, which improves access, reduces the operating time required to identify the recurrent fistula, and enables the use of a pedicled sternocleidomastoid muscle flap to decrease the risk of refistulization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Guerin
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012008:Recurrence; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*