Esophageal Respiratory Tract Fistulas

Question 1

What are the typical presenting symptoms of a tracheoesophageal fistula?

Answer 1

Aspiration, difficulty with oral intake

Question 2

What is the most common cause of acquired benign tracheoesophageal fistulas?

Answer 2

Prolonged mechanical ventilation

Question 3

T/F: A vent’ed patient with a TEF should immediately undergo operative repair.

Answer 3

FALSE

Question 4

What operative approach is most commonly used to repair a TEF?

Answer 4

Anterior cervical approach

Question 5

What muscle is most commonly used as a flap to repair the esophageal defect after a TEF repair?

Answer 5

Sternohyoid

Question 6

What are the benign causes of acquired broncho-esophageal fistula?

Answer 6

Histoplasmosis, silicosis, foreign-body impaction, caustic injury, and post-op complication

Question 7

What is the operative approach for repair of an acquired broncho-esophageal fistula repair?

Answer 7

Right thoracotomy

Question 8

What is the median survival for a patient with esophageal cancer with a respiratory-esophageal fistula?

Answer 8

4-10 weeks

Question 9

What palliative measure should be taken for patients with esophageal cancer and an esophageal-respiratory fistula?

Answer 9

Stent placement