Gastric antral patch oesophagoplasty for iatrogenic tracheo-oesophageal fistula.

Acquired tracheo-oesophageal fistula is a devastating condition, usually occurring as a late manifestation of oesophageal or other thoracic malignancies. In these cases palliation by placement of an oesophageal stent is the preferred option, but management of a large non-malignant fistula is more complex. In many patients in whom primary repair of the defects is not possible oesophagectomy may be seen as the best treatment. We present a case of a large tracheo-oesophageal fistula repaired with a gastric antral patch oesophagoplasty and intercostal muscle flap.