Successful Endoscopic Treatment of a Postoperative Tracheomediastinal Fistula Caused by Anastomotic Insufficiency after Esophageal Resection with Fibrin Glue

Fistula development after esophageal resection is considered as one of the most serious postoperative complications. The authors reported a case on clinical experiences in the postoperative diagnostic and successful therapeutic management of a tracheomediastinal fistula after esophageal resection, using endoscopic application of fibrin glue. The early approach of an anastomotic insufficiency after esophageal resection because of a squamous cell carcinoma (pT3pN0M0G2) below the tracheal bifurcation including transposition of a re-modelled gastric tube and end-to-side anastomosis 24 hours postoperatively in a 55-year old patient combined i) surgical re-intervention from the periesophageal site (reanastomosis, gastroplication, lavage, local and mediastinal drainage) and, later on, ii) extensive rinsing with consecutive endoscopic fibrin glue application into the tracheal mouth of the subsequently developed tracheomediastinal fistula as a consequence of the inflammatory changes within the surrounding tissue. In conclusion, this approach was successful and beneficial for the patient's further postoperative course, which was associated with other complications such as pneumonia and acute myocardial infarction. The fistula closed sufficiently and permanently with no further surgical intervention at the tracheal as well as mediastinal site and allowed patient's later discharge with no further complaints or problems