Plastic reconstruction of an extended corrosive injury of the posterior tracheal wall with an autologous esophageal patch.

We report on a patient with an extended corrosive injury of the posterior tracheal wall and left-sided tracheo-esophageal fistula after severe inhalative trauma. Resection of the fistula and necrotic tissue was followed by reconstruction of the posterior tracheal wall with an esophageal patch. Interposition of the stomach was performed to restore upper gastro-intestinal continuity. Revision was necessary due to an anastomotic insufficiency and a recurrent fistula between the trachea and the esophago-gastrostomy on the left side. The stomach was resected and the fistula was covered with a sternocleidomastoideus muscle flap. Several weeks later interposition of the right hemicolon was performed to establish the gastro-intestinal tract and the patient recovered completely, thereafter.