Late manifestation of a large congenital tracheoesophageal fistula in an adult

Abstract

Congenital tracheoesophageal fistula in an adult is a rare condition. We describe the clinical presentation in a young woman after video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax. She was found to have a very wide and short fistula in her neck. The tracheoesophageal defect was closed by a trap-door flap, using the posterior wall of the trachea. The patient made an uncomplicated recovery.

Fig. 1 Bronchoscopic view of large tracheoesophageal fistula.

Fig. 2 A magnetic resonance imaging scan outlines the fistula.

Fig. 3 Diagram of the tracheoesophageal fistula as seen during repair. The trachea has been divided, and the opening of the fistula, the flap of posterior tracheal wall, and the anterior wall of the esophagus are visible.