Tracheoesophageal fistula caused by a self-expanding esophageal stent.

A patient is presented who had previously undergone an esophagectomy for an adenocarcinoma of distal esophagus. He experienced repeated strictures at the esophagogastric anastomosis at 22 cm. After multiple dilatations, a self-expanding metal stent was placed. Four months later the upper edge of the stent eroded through the esophagus into the trachea, forming a tracheoesophageal fistula. Muscle flap repair was successful.