Successful endoscopic closure of multiple tracheoesophageal fistulas following implantation of two atrial septal defect occluders

Chronic tracheoesophageal fistulas [TEFs] represent one of the greatest challenges for endoscopists [1]. A 63-year-old man diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction was treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy. He developed two TEFs, which required the implantation of two self-expandable stents and a feeding jejunostomy. The prostheses were withdrawn 3 months later, and a tracheal prosthesis was put in place.

Given the persistence of the fistulas, the patient was referred to our center. Endoscopy and bronchoscopy revealed two fistulous orifices, 8 mm in diameter and 1 cm apart ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 Endoscopic view from the esophagus showing the two tracheoesophageal fistulas.

The fistulas were closed using two atrial septal defect occluders (ASDO, Amplatzer-type prosthesis; AGA Medical Corporation, Golden Valley, Minnesota, USA), which are normally used for closure of interauricular septal defects [2]. A pediatric endoscope was inserted into the trachea and the two fistulous orifices were identified. Through one of these, access was gained to the lumen of the esophagus and the gastric plasty by inserting a 0.035-inch guidewire.

Once the pediatric endoscope had been withdrawn from the trachea, and under endoscopic vision from the esophagus, an ASDO with an 8-mm neck and two flaps was placed from the trachea, over the guidewire, and into the esophagus to seal off the fistulous tract between the lumen of the trachea and esophagus ([Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3]).

Fig. 2 Endoscopic view from the trachea showing the atrial septal defect occluder (Amplatzer; AGA Medical Corporation, Golden Valley, Minnesota, USA) device deployed across the tracheoesophageal fistula.

Fig. 3 Three weeks after the first procedure, a second atrial septal defect occluder (Amplatzer; AGA Medical Corporation, Golden Valley, Minnesota, USA) was placed, sealing off the second tracheoesophageal fistula.

Three weeks later, the procedure was repeated using a second ASDO with a 4-mm neck and 13-mm diameter flaps, which occluded the esophageal and tracheal lumen of the other fistula ([Fig. 4], [Fig. 5, ] [Video 1]). The patient resumed oral feeding.

Fig. 4 Endoscopic view from the esophagus showing complete healing of two tracheoesophageal fistulas.

Fig. 5 Schematic drawing of a sagittal view showing the two septal occluders sealing off the fistulas.

Endoscopic closure of two tracheoesophageal fistulas using atrial septal defect occluders.

Endoscopic reviews at 3 and 4 months confirmed healing of the fistulas.

Since the description by Rabenstein of the use of ASDOs in the treatment of TEFs, several authors have confirmed the safety and efficacy of this procedure in TEFs [3] [4] [5].

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_TTT_1AQ_2AG

Competing interests: None

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Paul Miler, PhD, for help with the English and Teresa Gonzalez for transcribing the manuscript.

• References

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