Surgery Complicated by Self-Expandable Metallic Stents (SEMS) Tracheal Stent in a Congenital H-type Tracheo-Esophageal Fistula

A congenital tracheo-esophageal fistula of the H-type is a rare variant. The diagnosis is usually missed because of mild symptoms. A long history of coughing during liquid intake and nocturnal cough may aid in the diagnosis. A delay in the diagnosis may have a deleterious effect on the lung because of recurrent infections. Surgery is the cornerstone of management. Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) do not have a role in the management of these fistulae. We report a case of a missed diagnosis of a congenital H-type fistula managed as an acquired tracheo-esophageal fistula with two attempts at conservative management with a tracheal self-expandable metallic stent. The difficulties and disadvantages of using self-expandable metallic stents for the management of benign tracheo-esophageal fistulae are also discussed.