Large tracheobronchial fistula due to esophageal stent migration: Let it be!

Abstract

We report tracheal-bronchial migration of a covered esophageal self-expanding metal stent used to relieve dysphagia in a patient with advanced esophageal cancer. The stent eroded the trachea and completely occluded the main left bronchus. Surgery was contraindicated due to her poor clinical condition, and insertion of another stent in the trachea, esophagus, or both was contraindicated due to extension of the fistula. Esophageal exclusion with a combination of cervical esophagostomy and an enteral feeding tube was the only feasible treatment to minimize spoilage by aspirated saliva and provide enteral nutrition.

Keywords: Esophageal neoplasms; esophageal stenosis; esophagus; stents; tracheoesophageal fistula.