PALLIATIVE ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT ESOPHAGORESPIRATORY FISTULA - CASE-REPORT

The authors report on a case of esophagorespiratory fistula due to squ amous carcinoma of the esophagus treated on an emergency basis by endo scopic insertion of an Atkinson prosthesis following dilation of the m alignant stenosis with Savary dilators. The authors suggest the endosc opic insertion of a prosthesis as the first approach in the emergency treatment of a malignant esophagorespiratory fistula because of the ea siness of the technique, and its low morbidity and mortality rates; fu rthermore, this procedure relieves digestive and respiratory symptoms rapidly and reduces hospital stay while providing the patient with a b etter quality of remaining life.