TACHEOESOPHAGOGASTRIC ANASTOMOSIS FISTULA - A RARE COMPLICATION OF ESOPHAGECTOMY

Fistulas between trachea and esophagogastric anastomosis after esophag ectomy are uncommon. We describe 2 patients with such a lesion success fully managed with single-stage repair. The fistula was divided, the t racheal defect Tvas closed directly or with a free pericardial graft, and the esophagogastric anastomosis was redone. A muscle or pleural fl ap was used to separate the tracheal and digestive suture lines. This treatment of a potentially life-threatening condition yielded excellen t results without postoperative complications.