The diagnosis and management of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas.
OBJECTIVE
This review provides a blueprint to deal with the diagnosis and management of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas.


METHODS
A retrospective review over 27 years found 26 recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed.


RESULTS
In this cohort of 26 patients, 18 had a leak after their primary operation; and 22 had respiratory symptoms leading to the discovery of the recurrent fistula. The diagnosis was made by contrast study in 24. The repairs entailed placing a catheter through the fistula; separating the trachea and esophagus using sharp dissection; and placing tissue, preferably pericardium, between the suture lines. Postoperative complications included 7 anastamotic leaks, 4 strictures, and 3 recurrent fistulas. Long-term follow-up (median of 84 months) showed that 21 took all of their nutrition by mouth, 3 were tube fed, and 2 required a combination. Of the 23 patients with growth chart data, 16 fell in the first quartile of the growth chart, whereas none fell between the 75th and 100th percentile.


CONCLUSIONS
This series, the largest to date, describes characteristics of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas, including techniques to make the diagnosis and provide a secure closure of the fistula, and the long-term outcomes of these patients.
Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, CS Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0245, USA. sbruch@umich.edu
Steven W
SW
Bruch
Ronald B
RB
Hirschl
Arnold G
AG
Coran
D000293:Adolescent; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome