title: Postesophagectomy airway-gastric fistula successfully treated with subcutaneous fascia flap, tracheal reconstruction, and gastric fistula drainage: A case report and literature review.
abstract: Airway-gastric fistula (AGF) is a dreaded complication of esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Its presentations and treatment approaches differ from individual to individual. Herein, we report the case of a patient with postesophagectomy AGF that was successfully treated with a subcutaneous fascia flap twisting trachea, and gastric fistula drainage. On reviewing the related literature, we consider that protecting the airway with living soft tissues and draining the mediastinum are the key steps for the surgical treatment of AGF. Airway stenting may be used as a temporary solution, and conservative therapy can be successful in some carefully selected cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
authors.forename: Changchun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
authors.forename: Jianqiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
authors.forename: Qixun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D004322:Drainage; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005205:Fascia; D005260:Female; D005747:Gastric Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome