title: [Sealing esophagobronchial fistulae: better results with self expanding stents than with an esophagobronchial fistula].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the results of plastic endoprostheses and of self expanding stents in patients with an esophagobronchial fistula.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, descriptive.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nederlands Kanker Instituut/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Ziekenhuis, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two patients with an esophagobronchial fistula caused by a malignant tumour in the oesophagus, lungs or mediastinum were fitted with an endoprosthesis during the period 1 January 1991-31 August 1995. Use was made initially of a plastic endoprosthesis with a special tulip funnel (n = 24), later of a coated self expanding stent (n = 18). In seven patients, the fistula had been the first manifestation of the tumour; in 35, a recurrence after earlier treatment was involved. The initial characteristics (sex, age, diagnosis, earlier therapy, signs and symptoms) were the same in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dilatation immediately before insertion of a plastic endoprosthesis was necessary in 23 patients (96%); such dilatation was necessary in four of the patients (22%) fitted with a self expanding stent. Complete sealing of the fistula was achieved in 19 (79%) and 15 (83%) patients, respectively. Reoperations were necessary in eight (33%) and three (17%) patients. Early major complications occurred in four (17%) and two (11%) patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The selfexpanding stent was faster and easier to insert than a plastic endoprosthesis, and effective in sealing an oesophagobronchial fistula.
authors.affiliation: Nederlands Kanker Instituut/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Ziekenhuis, afd. Gastro-enterologie en Medische Oncologie, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kooijman
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Taal
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boot
mesh_terms: D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004106:Dilatation; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010969:Plastics; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics
vernacular_title: Afsluiting van oesofagobronchiale fistels: betere resultaten met zelfexpanderende stents dan met plastic endoprothesen.