Repair of Adult Benign Tracheoesophageal Fistulae With Absorbable Patches: Single-Center Experience

Background: This group previously reported on the repair of a wide tracheoesophageal fistula with a bioabsorbable patch. The current study describes a consecutive series of patients operated on using the same technique. Methods: Data of patients undergoing surgical closure of tracheoesophageal fistula at a single center from 2011 to 2018 were extracted and analyzed. Results: An absorbable patch was used in 8 of 23 patients (34.8%) operated on for tracheoesophageal fistula during the study period. Causes of the fistulae included postintubation injury (n = 6), mediastinal radiotherapy (n = 1), and a complication of lung resection (n = 1). The median fistula size was 27.5 mm (range, 15 to 45 mm). In 3 patients, the surgical approach was through cervicotomy and in 5 it was through right thoracotomy. Prosthetic materials consisted of Gore Bio-A (W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc, Newark, DE) tissue reinforcement in 6 patients and polyglactin 910 knitted mesh in 2 patients. In every case, the prosthesis was covered with a pedicled muscle flap. The esophageal defect was treated by primary closure in 7 patients and by esophageal exclusion in 1. Fistula recurrence and postoperative death occurred in 1 patient (12.5%), whereas 7 patients experienced postoperative complications (87.5%). Five patients resumed oral intake, and 3 breathed without a tracheal appliance. Compared with the other patients, in those who underwent repair of their fistula using a prosthesis, the median size of the airway defect was larger, morbidity was greater, and the rate of resumption of oral intake was lower. Conclusions: Repair of tracheoesophageal fistulae with synthetic prostheses is feasible and may be effective in complex cases. Further research is needed to identify the ideal prosthetic material.