Korean J Anesthesiol.  1997 Nov;33(5):993-996. 10.4097/kjae.1997.33.5.993.

A Case Report of Tracheoesophageal Fistula Found during General Anesthesia for Emergency Exploratory Laparotomy

• Lee KT
• Chae YK
• Lee YS
• Chung CK

• KMID: 2154501
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1997.33.5.993

Abstract

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) occurs in approximately 1 in 3,000 to 5,000 live births. TEF arises from failure of normal division of proximal foregut into separate respiratory and digestive tracts at 4 weeks' gestation. TEF and esophageal atresia are interrelated anomalies, and TEF usually occurs with esophageal atresia. These are usually diagnosed shortly after birth. However, the diagnosis is often delayed in TEF without esophageal atresia, because babies with this anomaly are usually normal in size and seldom have other anomalies. Therefore, sometimes TEF without esophageal atresia is found during operation for an unrelated condition when positive pressure ventilation causes massive inflation of the gastrointestinal tract. We report a case of TEF in adult patient found during general anesthesia for emergency exploratory laparotomy.

Keyword

Airway, anomaly, tracheoesophageal fistula

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anesthesia, General*
Diagnosis
Emergencies*
Esophageal Atresia
Gastrointestinal Tract
Humans
Inflation, Economic
Laparotomy*
Live Birth
Parturition
Positive-Pressure Respiration
Pregnancy
Tracheoesophageal Fistula*