Tracheo-Colonic Fistula in a Patient Treated With Coloplasty

Transtracheal approach to repair of a tracheo‐colonic fistula 44 years after colonic interposition

“…In the only other article published on a tracheo‐colonic fistula, also from Spain, Gómez–Torres et al describe patient who had a TEF after complications of a motor vehicle accident. Attempts at creating a pharyngotomy and subsequent closure with regional muscle flaps failed, and the patient had a persistent TEF.…”

“…Despite the popularity of colonic interposition over the last 50 years, it is surprising that there are so few reports of tracheo‐colonic fistulae with only 2 such reports from Spain . Although recurrent fistulas are difficult to manage regardless of the graft used for esophageal replacement, tracheo‐colonic fistulas are especially challenging because the sheer size of the colon in the neck obscures many important landmarks and makes it extremely difficult to gain access to the site of the fistula.…”