Tracheoesophageal Fistula Symptoms and Treatment

Tracheoesophageal fistula is an abnormal communication between wind and food pipe. Tracheoesophageal fistula can occur due to cancer of the food pipe infiltrating into the wind pipe (and rarely, vice versa) or due to non-cancer (benign) causes like prolonged ventilation, trauma and following some operations.

Symptoms of Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Patients suffering from Tracheoesophageal fistula develop cough on trying to eat or drink anything. Sometimes, it can cause life threatening choking.

Diagnosis of Tracheoesophageal fistula

The diagnosis for Tracheoesophageal fistula is confirmed by Bronchoscopy and Esophagoscopy.

Surgical Treatment of Tracheoesophageal fistula

The treatment consists of disconnection of the fistula (abnormal communication) and closure of resultant holes in food pipe as well as the wind pipe. We usually try to put some living tissue in between these repaired holes. In the neck this procedure can be easily performed by open method. However, in the chest it requires major Thoracotomy, which has been our team's special area of interest for over a decade. After this extensive experience, now we are in a position to do this complex operation of Tracheoesophageal fistula by Key-hole/robotic method also.