title: Successful conservative management of benign gastro-bronchial fistula after intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy.
abstract: Benign gastro-bronchial fistula is a rare and devastating complication of esophagectomy with gastric replacement. The most likely cause is a leak from the esophagogastric anastomosis with subsequent mediastinal abscess and rupture into the posterior wall of the tracheobronchial tree. The clinical presentation includes cough upon swallowing, fever, and recurrent pneumonia. Early surgical treatment is the standard of care. A unique case of chronic gastro-bronchial fistula is reported in this article. The patient, a 57-year-old woman, was referred from another hospital after 6 months of symptomatic therapy and total enteral nutrition. A self-expanding esophageal metal stent allowed exclusion of the fistula with symptom relief and return to oral alimentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Division of General Surgery, I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Donato, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bona
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sarli
authors.forename: Greta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Saino
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quarenghi
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonavina
mesh_terms: D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000628:therapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005747:Gastric Fistula / Q000628:therapy*; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents