title: Gastrobronchial fistula following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
abstract: Acquired fistulas between the tracheobronchial tree and the gastrointestinal tract are rare but serious complications of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies with significant morbidity and mortality. With the rising popularity and widespread acceptance of bariatric surgery techniques, the occurrence of gastrobronchial fistulas is being increasingly recognised. We present the case of a 26-year-old woman who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity and presented later with a history of chronic productive cough. Upper gastrointestinal series showed the presence of a communicating fistula between the stomach and the lung, with extravasation of contrast into the lung. The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of considering the diagnosis of a gastrobronchial fistula in cases of persistent respiratory infections in the postoperative period following bariatric surgery and to review its incidence, clinical manifestations and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY, USA. aabraham1030@gmail.com
authors.forename: Albin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: Ravi Paul Singh
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Virdi
authors.forename: Dhyan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rajan
authors.forename: Jaspreet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mustacchia
authors.forename: Javed
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Kaleem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rizvon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005747:Gastric Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D015607:Stents
chemical_list: D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine