Esophageal bypass surgery as a definitive repair of recurrent acquired benign bronchoesophageal fistula

BACKGROUND: Acquired benign bronchoesophageal fistula (BEF) is rare and develops as a complication of other diseases, mostly of inflammatory processes and traumas of the chest. The treatment of choice is a surgical repair, which is considered definitive and leads to successful outcomes. However, incidence of recurrence after the primary repair based on limited data is up to 10% and its treatment is challenging. We report a surgical case of a patient with recurrent acquired benign BEF after primary resection and ensuing successful definitive repair with esophageal bypass surgery after temporary esophageal stenting. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old male was referred to our department with a symptomatic left-sided bronchoesophageal fistula as a complication of severe acute necrotizing mediastinitis that originated from odontogenic abscess. Previously, several cervicotomies and bilateral thoracotomy were performed at an external medical facility to manage the acute condition. We performed resection of the fistula through re-thoracotomy. Postprocedural esophagography demonstrated a recurrence of bronchoesophageal communication. Postinflammatory adhesions excluded further repair through thoracotomy, therefore a stent was introduced in the esophagus for 12 weeks. Thereafter, an esophageal bypass surgery using a substernaly interposed gastric conduit was performed and resulted in an excellent long-term outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal bypass surgery using a substernaly interposed gastric conduit may be considered if the standard surgical repair of acquired benign bronchoesophageal fistula is not successful or feasible.