Transtracheal approach to repair of a tracheo‐colonic fistula 44 years after colonic interposition. Issue 11 (3rd April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mehra, Saral; Scherl, Sophie; Lazarus, Cathy; Dewey, Eliza; Urken, Mark L.; Irish, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 36:Issue 11(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: E117
• Page End: E120
• Publication Date: 2014-04-03
• Subjects: Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.23586
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="hed23586-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>We present a case report of a trachea‐colonic fistula and demonstrate our unique approach to repair, which was efficient and effective.</p> </sec> <sec id="hed23586-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The patient was a 50‐year‐old man who had a congenital tracheoesophageal fistula repair with colonic interposition as a child who now developed a fistula between his colon and trachea.</p> </sec> <sec id="hed23586-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>We performed a transtracheal approach, with primary closure of redundant colon mucosa as well as direct repair of the trachea. An inferiorly based sternocleidomastoid muscle flap was interposed between these 2 layers to augment the repair. The patient had an uneventful recovery with an effective reconstitution of the alimentary tract and the airway.</p> </sec> <sec id="hed23586-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Tracheo‐colonic fistula is an extremely rare pathology, and the scarring that develops after a prior esophagectomy makes a traditional lateral approach very difficult. The transtracheal approach is an effective method to obtain needed exposure in order to carry out the repair. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. <italic>Head Neck</italic> 36: E117–E120, 2014</p> </sec> </abstract>