The Utility of Stenting in the Treatment of Airway Gastric Fistula After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer
Journal of Bronchology & Interventional Pulmonology, 07/18/2012
Boyd M et al. – Airway gastric fistula (AGF) after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is rare. Although surgical repair offers definitive treatment, the operative risk in such patients is high. With a nonsurgical approach, an analysis of available case reports/series suggests a trend toward more durable closure of AGF with the utilization of covered metallic stents and when the fistula is bronchial in origin. Despite a high recurrence rate (39%), stenting may provide temporization until surgery can be tolerated. Airway stenting for AGF should not be considered as a definitive therapy and when utilized it requires frequent reassessment for recurrence.



