Tracheo-esophageal anastomosis in treatment of chronic aspiration pneumonitis.

A patient underwent tracheo-esophageal anastomosis following repeated episodes of aspiration pneumonia after the resection of a meningioma at foramen magnum. The surgery eliminated the intractable problem with aspiration. This procedure is reversible, and restoration of the laryngeal function can be accomplished when the patient has recovered neurologically. If adequate neurologic recovery does not occur, the anastomosis can be left intact indefinitely.