title: Benign tracheoesophageal fistula: results of surgical therapy.
abstract: Acquired fistulas between the trachea and the esophagus (TEFs) are unusual, serious and still challenging clinical entities. Between 1980 and 1997, 31 patients with acquired benign TEF were evaluated and treated in our department. The definitive treatment was undertaken when patients were weaned from the ventilator. Dissection of the fistula and closure of the tracheal and esophageal defect was performed in 26 patients. Esophagogastroplasty plus closure of the tracheal defect and omental interposition was performed in two patients. Tracheal resection and reconstruction plus of the sternocleidomastoid muscle interposition was carried out in one patient with circumferential tracheal damage. In two patients, no surgical treatment was carried out. One patient died after surgical treatment. In 23 patients, long-term follow-up was excellent, with normal post-operative function of both the esophagus and the airway. Two failures of treatment occurred which required definitive tracheostomy plus T-tube. Management of TEFs can be safely carried out after weaning patients from the ventilator.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Chirurgia Generale ed Oncologia Chirurgica, Università degli Studi di Milano-Ospedale Policlinico, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baisi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonavina
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Narne
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peracchia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009852:Omentum / Q000637:transplantation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome