Korean J Anesthesiol.  1997 Nov;33(5):984-987. 10.4097/kjae.1997.33.5.984.

Acquired Tracheoesophageal Fistula Observed during Anesthetic Induction: A case report

• Kim CS
• Lim YJ
• Kim CS
• Do SH
• Kim CG

• KMID: 2154499
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1997.33.5.984

Abstract

We present a case of acquired tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) which was found during induction of general anesthesia for clipping of aneurysm. The patient had been intubated with endotracheal tube for 10 days and then done tracheotomy for 45 days. Thereafter, TEF was confirmed by MRI and treated with fistula repair and tracheal fenestration. Acquired TEF can occur under the condition of prolonged tracheal intubation with high cuff pressure (>30 mmHg) and can also result from intratracheal neoplasm, mediastinitis, and other tracheal or esophageal damages. If unrecognized during anesthetic induction, TEF can cause gastric dilatation and rupture, pulmonary aspiration and respiratory failure. So early diagnosis and proper management is very important whenever TEF is suspected during anesthetic induction.

Keyword

Complication, tracheoesophageal fistula

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, General
Aneurysm
Early Diagnosis
Fistula
Gastric Dilatation
Humans
Intubation
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mediastinitis
Respiratory Insufficiency
Rupture
Tracheoesophageal Fistula*
Tracheotomy