Iatrogenic Esophagopleural Fistula After the Management of Acute Variceal Hemorrhage With Minnesota Tube Placement

Abstract

An esophagopleural fistula (EPF) is a rare condition. EPFs are typically of spontaneous, iatrogenic, or neoplastic origin. A 50-year-old man with hepatitis C and alcoholic cirrhosis presented with a history of recurrent variceal hemorrhage requiring esophageal banding, Minnesota tube placement, and a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. His hospital course after esophageal perforation and EPF was complicated by acute respiratory failure and empyema, necessitating intubation and thoracostomy tube placement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of EPF secondary to Minnesota tube placement. The EPF completely healed after endoscopic repair.