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World J Surg Proced. Mar 28, 2014; 4(1): 9-12
Published online Mar 28, 2014. doi: 10.5412/wjsp.v4.i1.9
Review of (acquired) incidental, rare and difficult tracheoesophageal fistula management
Jose Paulo Freire, Jose Crespo Mendes de Almeida
Jose Paulo Freire, Jose Crespo Mendes de Almeida, Department of General Surgery, Hospital de Santa Maria, 1649-035 Lisbon, Portugal
Author contributions: Freire JP and Mendes de Almeida JC contributed equally to this work, acquiring and analysing data, writing and reviewing the manuscript, and both approve the version to be published.
Correspondence to: Jose Paulo Freire, MD, Department of General Surgery, Hospital de Santa Maria, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-035 Lisbon, Portugal. freire20@sapo.pt
Telephone: +351-21-7805002 Fax: +351-21-0405808
Received: October 29, 2013
Revised: December 24, 2013
Accepted: January 17, 2014
Published online: March 28, 2014
Processing time: 170 Days and 11 Hours
Abstract

Acquired benign tracheoesophageal fistula is a rare condition and a difficult problem. The rarity and unpredictable presentation of this condition makes the design and setting of randomized prospective trials impossible. Guidelines on this matter are also difficult to establish. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of published literature and their experience, the authors review the etiology and best options for treatment, either surgical and non surgical, according to present knowledge.

Keywords: Tracheoesophageal fistula; Esophageal stents; Tracheal stents; Surgical treatment

Core tip: Acquired nonmalignant tracheoesophageal fistula is a rare life-threatening condition. Several management approaches have been proposed, without a real consensual approach. The authors review the published literature and discuss the different options.