title: Tracheoesophageal fistula and massive pneumoperitoneum after prolonged mechanical ventilation.
abstract: We describe a patient who had two unusual complications of prolonged mechanical ventilation-tracheoesophageal fistula and pneumoperitoneum-with a fatal outcome. Recurrent pulmonary aspirations and massive abdominal distention in the setting of longstanding artificial ventilation should alert the physician to these possibilities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Huron Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rainey
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kotton
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*