Download PDF
Eur J Pediatr Surg 2013; 23(03): 214-218
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1347913
Review
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Recurrent Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Dave R. Lal
1   Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
,
Keith T. Oldham
1   Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

23 April 2013

23 April 2013

Publication Date:
29 May 2013 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Repair of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas (rTEFs) remains a technically challenging endeavor. Although considered the gold standard, open surgical repair is associated with significant morbidity and rates of recurrence. Over the last 40 years, endoscopic techniques have gained popularity and been touted as a safer first line treatment. This review complies the published articles related to endoscopic repair of rTEFs and reports the various techniques, number of interventions, and success rates. Controversy will remain as to which technique is superior until prospective, multi-institutional studies are performed.

Keywords

recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula - endoscopic treatment - open surgery - tissue adhesives - de-epithelializing agents - fistula ablation
 

  • References

  • 1 Vos A, Ekkelkamp S. Congenital tracheoesophageal fistula: preventing recurrence. J Pediatr Surg 1996; 31 (7) 936-938
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Ein SH, Stringer DA, Stephens CA, Shandling B, Simpson J, Filler RM. Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas seventeen-year review. J Pediatr Surg 1983; 18 (4) 436-441
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Slim MS, Tabry IF. Left extrapleural approach for the repair of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1974; 68 (4) 654-657
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Bruch SW, Hirschl RB, Coran AG. The diagnosis and management of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas. J Pediatr Surg 2010; 45 (2) 337-340
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Kovesi T, Rubin S. Long-term complications of congenital esophageal atresia and/or tracheoesophageal fistula. Chest 2004; 126 (3) 915-925
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Myers NA, Beasley SW, Auldist AW. Secondary esophageal surgery following repair of esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 1990; 25 (7) 773-777
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Piastra M, Briganti V, Luca E , et al. Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula and respiratory failure: the role of early airway endoscopic approach. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2013; 23 (2) 153-156
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Meier JD, Sulman CG, Almond PS, Holinger LD. Endoscopic management of recurrent congenital tracheoesophageal fistula: a review of techniques and results. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2007; 71 (5) 691-697
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Touloukian RJ. Long-term results following repair of esophageal atresia by end-to-side anastomosis and ligation of the tracheoesophageal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 1981; 16 (6) 983-988
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Holcomb III GW, Rothenberg SS, Bax KM , et al. Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: a multi-institutional analysis. Ann Surg 2005; 242 (3) 422-428 , discussion 428–430
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 van der Zee DC, Bax NM. Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia with distal fistula. Surg Endosc 2003; 17 (7) 1065-1067
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Schlesinger AE, Mazziotti MV, Cassady CI, Pimpalwar AP. Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula after thoracoscopic repair: vanishing clips as a potential sign. Pediatr Surg Int 2011; 27 (12) 1357-1359
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 St Peter SD, Calkins CM, Holcomb III GW. The use of biosynthetic mesh to separate the anastomoses during the thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2007; 17 (3) 380-382
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Cumming WA. Neonatal radiology. Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. Radiol Clin North Am 1975; 13 (2) 277-295
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Filston HC, Rankin JS, Kirks DR. The diagnosis of primary and recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas: value of selective catheterization. J Pediatr Surg 1982; 17 (2) 144-148
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Richter GT, Ryckman F, Brown RL, Rutter MJ. Endoscopic management of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 2008; 43 (1) 238-245
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Gdanietz K, Krause I. Plastic adhesives for closing oesophago-tracheal fistulae in children. Z Kinderchir 1975; 17: 137-138
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Willetts IE, Dudley NE, Tam PK. Endoscopic treatment of recurrent tracheo-oesophageal fistulae: long-term results. Pediatr Surg Int 1998; 13 (4) 256-258
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Waag K, Joppich B, Manegold R , et al. Endoscopic closure of tracheo-oesophageal fistulae. Z Kinderchir 1979; 27 (suppl.): 93-95
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Pompino H. Endoscopic closure of tracheo-esophageal fistulae. Z Kinderchir 1979; 27 (suppl): 90-93
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Daniel P, Martin S, Grahl KO. [Problem of endoscopic gluing of an esophagotracheal fistula recurrence following surgery for esophageal atresia using tissue adhesives]. Zentralbl Chir 1980; 105 (22) 1522-1524
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Gutierrez C, Barrios JE, Lluna J , et al. Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula treated with fibrin glue. J Pediatr Surg 1994; 29 (12) 1567-1569
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Hoelzer DJ, Luft JD. Successful long-term endoscopic closure of a recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula with fibrin glue in a child. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1999; 48 (3) 259-263
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Lopes MF, Pires J, Nogueria Brandão A, Reis A, Morais Leitão L. Endoscopic obliteration of a recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula with enbucrilate and polidocanol in a child. Surg Endosc 2003; 17 (4) 657
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Gutiérrez San Román C, Barrios JE, Lluna J , et al. Long-term assessment of the treatment of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula with fibrin glue associated with diathermy. J Pediatr Surg 2006; 41 (11) 1870-1873
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Farra J, Zhuge Y, Neville HL , et al. Submucosal fibrin glue injection for closure of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula. Pediatr Surg Int 2010; 26 (2) 237-240
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Schmittenbecher PP, Mantel K, Hofmann U, Berlien HP. Treatment of congenital tracheoesophageal fistula by endoscopic laser coagulation: preliminary report of three cases. J Pediatr Surg 1992; 27 (1) 26-28
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Bhatnagar V, Lal R, Sriniwas M, Agarwala S, Mitra DK. Endoscopic treatment of tracheoesophageal fistula using electrocautery and the Nd:YAG laser. J Pediatr Surg 1999; 34 (3) 464-467
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Rakoczy G, Brown B, Barman D , et al. KTP laser: an important tool in refractory recurrent tracheo-esophageal fistula in children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2010; 74 (3) 326-327
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Sung MW, Chang H, Hah JH, Kim KH. Endoscopic management of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula with trichloroacetic acid chemocauterization: a preliminary report. J Pediatr Surg 2008; 43 (11) 2124-2127
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Al-Samarrai AY, Jessen K, Haque K. Endoscopic obliteration of a recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 1987; 22 (11) 993
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Lopes MF, Catré D, Reis A, Leitão LM. Endoscopic treatment of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula with histoacryl glue. Gastrointest Endosc 2010; 72 (6) 1324-1325 , author reply 1325
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Tzifa KT, Maxwell EL, Chait P , et al. Endoscopic treatment of congenital H-Type and recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula with electrocautery and Histoacryl glue. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2006; 70 (5) 925-930
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Yoon JH, Lee HL, Lee OY , et al. Endoscopic treatment of recurrent congenital tracheoesophageal fistula with Histoacryl glue via the esophagus. Gastrointest Endosc 2009; 69 (7) 1394-1396
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Wiseman NE. Endoscopic closure of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula using Tisseel. J Pediatr Surg 1995; 30 (8) 1236-1237
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Briganti V, Coletta R, Giannino G, Calisti A. Usefulness of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer in bronchoscopic treatment of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula in children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2011; 75 (9) 1191-1194
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Ghandour KE, Spitz L, Brereton RJ, Kiely EM. Recurrent tracheo-oesophageal fistula: experience with 24 patients. J Paediatr Child Health 1990; 26 (2) 89-91
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Briganti V, Mangia G, Ialongo P, Calisti A. Usefulness of large pleural flap for the treatment of children with recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula. Pediatr Surg Int 2009; 25 (7) 587-589
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Bonnard A, Paye-Jaouen A, Aizenfisz S, El Ghoneimi A. Laparoscopically harvested omental flap for recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula in a newborn baby. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007; 134 (6) 1592-1593
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Martin LW, Cox JA, Cotton R, Oldham KT. Transtracheal repair of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 1986; 21 (5) 402-403
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Sugiyama A, Urushihara N, Fukumoto K , et al. Combined free autologous auricular cartilage and fascia lata graft repair for a recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula. Pediatr Surg Int 2013; 29 (5) 519-523
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Delarue A, Paut O, Simeoni J, Lepra SB, Nicollas R. Costal cartilage grafting for repair of a recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula in a 1.6-kg baby with esophageal atresia. Pediatr Surg Int 2002; 18 (2-3) 162-164
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Vandenplas Y. Endoscopic closure of recurrent tracheo-oesophageal fistula. Lancet 1991; 338 (8775) 1147
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Rangecroft L, Bush GH, Lister J, Irving IM. Endoscopic diathermy obliteration of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulae. J Pediatr Surg 1984; 19 (1) 41-43
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar