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DOI: 10.1055/a-1234-6702
Tracheoesophageal fistula closed by a new gastrointestinal occluder device
Tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEFs) are pathological communications between the airway and the adjacent esophagus that can involve serious, life-threatening complications, being associated with high mortality, short survival time, and poor quality of life [1]. According to the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinical Guideline, a self-expanding metal stent is the preferred treatment option [2]. However, considering the poor clinical success rate of this treatment, the chance that the fistula will reopen remains high [3]. Several previous studies have shown that, in selected patients, TEFs can be healed by an Amplatzer septal occluder (AGA Medical Corporation, Plymouth, Minnesota, USA) [1] [4]. However, Daniel et al. reported the case of a patient who died of fatal hemoptysis after closure of a benign gastrobronchial fistula with an Amplatzer device [5]. Here, we propose a novel occluder device which was professionally designed for TEFs (PCT/CN2020/077659), the first to be described in the literature.
The device is made of laminated nitinol mesh with two self-expanding discs connected by a thin waist ([Fig. 1], [Fig. 2]), allowing mechanical closure of both ends of the fistula, giving a potential substrate for subsequent organized ingrowth. [Video 1] shows upper gastrointestinal endoscopy of a 5-mm fistula with positioning of the device in an in vitro porcine model ([Fig. 3]). We introduced a 9-Fr catheter through the endoscope and thus were able to introduce the device into the airway. We released the distal disc under direct vision and gently pulled the device until it sat tight against the airway wall ([Fig. 4]). While withdrawing the sheath, we slowly pulled the cable under direct vision to release the proximal disc ([Fig. 5]). Once the stent was properly positioned, the cable was detached, releasing the device. Finally, we withdrew the cable and endoscope.
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Video 1 A 5-mm tracheoesophageal fistula in an in vitro porcine model closed under endoscopy with the aid of a new gastrointestinal occluder device.
Quality:
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Compared with the Amplatzer occluder, this device may have the following advantages: (1) it has no protrusion, so even if the patient coughs, it will not damage the trachea; (2) it could be manufactured using degradable materials in future; (3) it can carry a retrieval line, and can be retrieved endoscopically if necessary.
In conclusion, the use of the new device for closure of TEFs will probably provide an alternative method to mechanically close TEF defects in the future.
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Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
* contributed equally to this work
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References
- 1 Traina M, Amata M, De Monte L. et al. Chronic tracheoesophageal fistula successfully treated using Amplatzer septal occluder. Endoscopy 2018; 50: 1236-1237
- 2 Spaander MC, Baron TH, Siersema PD. et al. Esophageal stenting for benign and malignant disease: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Clinical Guideline. Endoscopy 2016; 48: 939-948
- 3 Sharma P, Kozarek R. Practice Parameters Committee of American College Of Gastroenterology. Role of esophageal stents in benign and malignant diseases. Am J Gastroenterol 2010; 105: 258-273
- 4 Repici A, Presbitero P, Carlino A. et al. First human case of esophagus-tracheal fistula closure by using a cardiac septal occluder (with video). Gastrointest Endosc 2010; 71: 867-869
- 5 Buitrago DH, Pinto D, Berkowitz SJ. et al. Fatal hemoptysis after closure of gastrobronchial fistula using an Amplatzer vascular device. Ann Thorac Surg 2018; 105: e71-e73
Corresponding author
Publication History
Article published online:
11 September 2020
© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.
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References
- 1 Traina M, Amata M, De Monte L. et al. Chronic tracheoesophageal fistula successfully treated using Amplatzer septal occluder. Endoscopy 2018; 50: 1236-1237
- 2 Spaander MC, Baron TH, Siersema PD. et al. Esophageal stenting for benign and malignant disease: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Clinical Guideline. Endoscopy 2016; 48: 939-948
- 3 Sharma P, Kozarek R. Practice Parameters Committee of American College Of Gastroenterology. Role of esophageal stents in benign and malignant diseases. Am J Gastroenterol 2010; 105: 258-273
- 4 Repici A, Presbitero P, Carlino A. et al. First human case of esophagus-tracheal fistula closure by using a cardiac septal occluder (with video). Gastrointest Endosc 2010; 71: 867-869
- 5 Buitrago DH, Pinto D, Berkowitz SJ. et al. Fatal hemoptysis after closure of gastrobronchial fistula using an Amplatzer vascular device. Ann Thorac Surg 2018; 105: e71-e73
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