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Case Reports
. 2005 Jun 30:5:16.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2482-5-16.

Benign gastro-bronchial fistula - an uncommon complication of esophagectomy: case report

Mohan P Devbhandari  1 , Rohit Jain, Simon Galloway, Piotr Krysiak
Affiliations
Case Reports

Benign gastro-bronchial fistula - an uncommon complication of esophagectomy: case report

Mohan P Devbhandari et al. BMC Surg. .

Abstract

Background: Gastro-bronchial fistula (GBF) is a rare and devastating complication following esophagectomy. Making the correct diagnosis is difficult and there is no agreement on the treatment for this rare condition.

Case presentation: We report the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with features of repeated aspiration and chest infections six years following an esophagectomy for Barrett's esophagus. Despite extensive investigations the cause of symptoms was difficult to determine. The correct diagnosis of fistula from stomach to right main stem bronchus was made at bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. After ruling out local recurrence of cancer, a successful primary repair was carried out by resection of fistula and direct repair of gastric conduit and bronchus. He is well after 6 months of treatment.

Conclusion: Late development of gastro-bronchial fistula is a rare complication of esophageal resection that may be difficult to diagnose. Surgical resection and direct closure is the treatment of choice, although the method of treatment should be tailored according to the anatomy of the fistula and the patient's condition.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CT scan of chest of showing communication between the right main bronchus and the gastric conduit.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Intra-operative picture showing the fistula (arrowed) between two forceps.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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