Airway Gastric Fistula After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer

Airway gastric fistula formation is a rare and complex complication after esophagectomy. Clinical presentations vary, making a uniform approach to treatment not possible. Recently, nonsurgical approaches have been reported using various types of airway stents. However, the usefulness of airway stenting in the treatment of airway gastric fistula is relatively unknown. We present a patient with hemoptysis, respiratory failure, and an enlarging left mainstem bronchogastric fistula after esophagectomy. The patient's symptoms were temporized by the placement of a silicone stent. (Ann Thorac Surg 2012;93:988-90) (C) 2012 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons