Repair of tracheal defect with Goretex graft during resection of carcinoma of the esophagus.

Repair options for tracheal defects secondary to tumor or trauma have been unsatisfactory for emergent cases. We report a case in which the tracheobronchial tree was entered during resection of carcinoma of the esophagus and emergently repaired with a Goretex graft. The patient did well for 22 months after esophagectomy, at which time the graft was found to be infected and was removed. The patient continues to remain free of tumor 4 years after initial resection.