The Open Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Journal

2013, 6 : 16-18
Published online 2013 November 13. DOI: 10.2174/1876533501306010016
Publisher ID: TOCTSJ-6-16

Esophagobronchial Fistula Following Corrosive Injury of Esophagus: 2 Cases with Different Etiology But Similar Presentation

Edvard Skripochnik , Robert Ashton and Siyamek Neragi-Miandoab
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Staten Island University Hospital, SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

ABSTRACT

Acquired esophagobronchial fistula (EBF) is a rare condition and its surgical remediation is challenging. Management depends on the cause and degree of the injury. Corrosive substances can be alkaline or acidic in nature. Alkali ingestion commonly causes esophageal injury while acid ingestion most often damages the stomach. However, it is not always clear which gastrointestinal site will be injured. We present two cases of tracheoesophageal fistula with different etiology but similar complication: one due to alkaline ingestion, and one due to acidic ingestion. Both patients had successful surgical management.

Keywords:

Esophageal fistula, corrosive injury, alkaline substances.