Tracheoesophageal puncture for voice prosthesis placement is often used in vocal rehabilitation of patients undergoing total laryngectomy. Although its closure can occur spontaneously, some patients require a surgical procedure. We propose a surgical technique, without flap interposition, that begins with careful separation of the esophagus and trachea and identification of the site of tracheoesophageal fistula. After continuous suture closure of the esophagus, the anterior segment of the first tracheal rings is vertically incised to facilitate tracheal closure in a suture without tension. Finally, a small pectoral skin flap is made and mobilized to suture to the free edges of the sectioned tracheal rings, thus reducing the risk of tracheal stenosis. Four patients underwent this procedure with uneventful postoperative evolution and permanent closure of the fistula.
Central venous catheter placement for long-term total parenteral nutrition is a well-established practice. Considering the number of placed lines, serious complications are rare but may be life threatening. We report the case of a 6-month-old infant on total parenteral nutrition since neonatal period, as a consequence of severe intestinal insufficiency secondary to extensive intestinal resection for necrotizing enterocolitis. The child was admitted to the ICU with respiratory failure due to bilateral milky pleural effusion 17 days after placement of a left internal saphenous line. Pleural effusion analysis was suggestive of chylothorax, with high triglyceride (722 mg/dl) and low cholesterol (< 20 mg/dl). Persistence of pleural effusion, despite adequate treatment, drew attention to other diagnostic hypothesis. Considering that parenteral nutrition solution used is cholesterol free and the child complained of pain when administered bolus through the catheter, the hypothesis of misplacement of the central venous catheter became more likely. Computed tomography scan after contrast administration through the catheter revealed its presence in the epidural space and the ascending route reaching the pleural space. When parenteral nutrition was stopped, the pleural effusion resolved. At the present time, with 2 years of follow-up, the child does not have any complication of this event. This is, to our knowledge, the first reported case of an infant developing bilateral pleural effusion secondary to misplacement of a left internal saphenous catheter. Ann Computed tomography scan. (a) Lateral left deviation at L4-L5 level of catheter route. (b) Contrast in epidural space. (c) Contrast passing through the intervertebral foramen. (d) Contrast in pleural space. (e) Contrast in epidural space and vertebral plexus surrounding the vertebral body of a low thoracic vertebra. Arrow indicates signaling contrast. Pleural effusion: a saphenous CVC complication Simã o et al. 85
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