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Tracheoesophageal fistula secondary to chemical trauma: is there a place for planned conservative management?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2010

D Biswas ,
S Majumdar ,
J Ray  and
P Bull
D Biswas*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Sheffield Children's Hospital, University of Sheffield, UK
S Majumdar
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Sheffield Children's Hospital, University of Sheffield, UK
J Ray
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Sheffield Children's Hospital, University of Sheffield, UK
P Bull
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Sheffield Children's Hospital, University of Sheffield, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr D Biswas, Department of Otolaryngology, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 2TH. Fax: +44 1142 711 985 E-mail: drdbiswas@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Objective:

We present a unique case in which closure of a large tracheoesophageal fistula was achieved with planned conservative management.

Method:

The literature was reviewed for other documented cases of spontaneous closure of traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula.

Results:

Acquired tracheoesophageal fistula may result secondary to a chemical burn from an alkaline disc battery impacted in the oesophagus, particularly when the presentation, and thus diagnosis, are delayed. This condition is rare. The majority of such cases occur in children, and are conventionally managed with surgical repair. We found only three previously reported cases in which conservative management was attempted.

Conclusion:

Non-interventional management should be tried initially for the management of paediatric acquired tracheoesophageal fistula, to permit closure by secondary intention.

Keywords

Foreign BodiesBatteriesOesophagusTracheo-oesophageal Fistula

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 10 , October 2010 , pp. 1136 - 1138
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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