A rare cause of tracheopleural fistula following minimally invasive oesophagectomy

Totally minimally invasive oesophagectomy (TMIE) has been utilised to reduce respiratory and cardiac complications, offering favourable clinical and oncological outcomes. A 62-year-old male patient underwent two-stage TMIE for a Siewert type I tumour. During thoracoscopic oesophageal mobilisation and lymphadenectomy, a 10-mm bone-like mass was recognised and dissected along the subcarinal nodes, revealing a 2-3mm opening on the inferomedial aspect of the right main bronchus. The airway opening was repaired after conversion. This is the first report of an accessory cardiac bronchus encountered during oesophagectomy. Recognition of its characteristic position and features may result in early diagnosis and avoidance of a potentially lethal injury