Effectiveness and safety of a ventricular septal occluder device for the treatment of Gastro-tracheal fistula.

BACKGROUND: Gastro-tracheal fistula (GTF) is one of the most serious complications after esophagogastrostomy and radiotherapy, with very high disability and mortality rates. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ventricular septal occluder devices (VSOD) for the treatment of Gastro-tracheal fistula (GTF). METHODS: From January 2020 to May 2022, 14 patients with GTF underwent VSOD under real-time fluoroscopy. The technical success, complications, quality of life (QoL), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, Karnofsky score, and median overall survival (mOS) were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Technical success, and major complication rates were 71.4%, and 14.3%, respectively. Both the ECOG and the Karnofsky score showed significant improvement at the 2-month evaluation compared with the pretreatment value (p<0.05). For QoL, general health, physical function, vitality, role physical, and social function all improved at the 2-month evaluation (p<0.05), but bodily pain, role emotion, and mental health showed no significant difference (P>0.05). During the mean follow-up of 9.6 months, eight patients were alive, and the mOS was 11.4 months (95% CI, 8.5-14.3). CONCLUSIONS: VSOD is a simple and safe technique for GTF treatment, but long-term observation is needed at multiple centers to confirm our findings.

Smoking-Associated Endotracheal Hair Growth: A Case Report on Tracheal Complications.

BACKGROUND A 52-year-old male patient presented with symptoms of chronic cough and persistent tracheal irritation 26 years after surgical closure of a tracheostoma, supported by an autologous auricular cartilage graft and cutaneous transplant. At the initial clinical presentation, the patient was an active smoker, with a cumulative dose of 31 pack years. CASE REPORT Bronchoscopy revealed endotracheal hair growth and local inflammation at the graft site. Initial anti-inflammatory, antimycotic, and antibacterial therapy was administered, followed by endoscopic structure remodeling. There were multiple recurrences with similar symptoms, showing isolated hair growth, without inflammation. Annual endoscopic restructuring sessions were indicated, and the patient experienced them as highly relieving. Recurrent hair growth was finally terminated by argon plasma laser-coagulation and after smoking cessation. We hypothesize that the onset of hair growth was triggered by the patient's cigarette smoking. CONCLUSIONS Endotracheal hair growth is a potential complication of autograft-supported tracheal restructuring. The initial administration of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory medication, combined with endoscopic restructuring, could have contained the active inflammation; the application of argon plasma laser-coagulation finally stopped the hair growth. Smoking is associated with the upregulation of molecular signaling pathways in the respiratory epithelium, which can stimulate hair follicles, such as sonic hedgehog protein, WNT-1/ß-catenin, and epidermal growth factor receptor.

Life-Threatening Tracheal Diverticulum Rupture Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Rare Case Report.

BACKGROUND We present an exceptional case of asystole and tracheal diverticulum rupture as a result of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately following laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed at Riga 1st Hospital. Tracheal rupture after tracheal intubation is a severe but very rare complication that can be fatal. We present an incidental finding of the tracheal diverticulum and its rupture during CPR. CASE REPORT A 71-year-old woman (American Society of Anesthesiologists class II, body mass index 28.58) underwent a planned laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Preoperative chest X-ray showed no abnormalities. Endotracheal intubation was performed, with the first attempt with a 7-mm inner diameter cuffed endotracheal tube without an introducer. Five minutes after rapid desufflation of the pneumoperitoneum, severe bradycardia and hypotension occurred, followed by asystole. CPR was performed for a total of 2 min, until spontaneous circulation returned. Twenty hours after surgery, subcutaneous emphysema appeared on the chest. Computed tomography scan of the chest revealed subcutaneous neck emphysema, bilateral pneumothorax, extensive pneumomediastinitis, and a pocket-like, air-filled tissue defect measuring 10×32 mm in the distal third of the trachea, with suspected rupture. Two hours after the diagnosis was established, the emergent surgery was performed. The patient was completely recovered after 15 days. CONCLUSIONS Our case illustrates that tracheal diverticula is sometimes diagnosed by accident and too late, which then can lead to life-threatening situations. Tracheal rupture can be made not only by mechanical piercing by an endotracheal tube but also during interventions, such as CPR. Rapid desufflation of the pneumoperitoneum can lead to asystole, induced by the Bezold-Jarisch reflex.

Tracheomediastinal fistula induced by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in small cell lung cancer: A case report and literature review.

Tracheomediastinal fistula is a rare but life-threatening complication of cancer. We report a case of tracheomediastinal fistula induced by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in limited stage small cell lung cancer. Despite the treatment response, the metastatic paratracheal lymph node increased gradually during concurrent chemoradiotherapy, resulting in the occurrence of tracheomediastinal fistula and mediastinitis. Without any surgical intervention, the patient achieved successful recovery from mediastinitis through antibiotic treatment, although the tracheomediastinal fistula remained open. In this report, we also review previous studies of tracheomediastinal and bronchomediastinal fistulas and summarize the clinical features.

Pediatric Tracheotomy Stomal Maturation and Tracheocutaneous Fistulas.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine whether tracheostomy stomal maturation affects the risk of tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) in children. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for all children who both underwent a tracheostomy and were decannulated between 2012 and 2021 at a tertiary children's hospital. Charts were analyzed for demographics, surgical technique, and development of a TCF. TCF was defined as a persistent fistula following 3 months after decannulation. RESULTS: 179 children met inclusion criteria. The median (interquartile range) age at tracheostomy was 1.5 (82.4) months, average (standard deviation [SD]) duration of tracheotomy was 20.0 (20.6) months, and length of follow-up after decannulation (range; SD) was 39.3 (4.4-110.0; 26.7) months. 107 patients (60.0%) underwent stomal maturation and 98 patients developed a TCF (54.7%). Younger age at tracheostomy placement was significantly associated with increased risk of TCF, mean (SD) age 28.4 (51.4) version 80.1 (77.5) months (p < 0.001). Increased duration of tracheostomy was significantly associated with increased risk of TCF, 27.5 (18.4) version 11.0 (18.2) months (p < 0.001). Stomal maturation was not significantly associated with the risk of TCF, including on multivariable analysis adjusting for age at tracheostomy and duration of tracheostomy (p = 0.089). CONCLUSION: Tracheostomy stomal maturation did not affect the risk of TCF in children, even after adjusting for age and duration of tracheostomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:2941-2944, 2024.

A Systematic Review of Mortality Associations in Patients who Develop Tracheoinnominate Artery Fistula Following Tracheostomy.

OBJECTIVE: Tracheoinnominate artery fistulas (TIFs) are a rare but deadly complication of tracheostomy. Tracheoinnominate artery fistula cases in the literature were summarized in order to understand mortality associations. METHODS: MEDLINE was searched for studies reporting individual characteristics of patients with TIFs after tracheostomy, excluding cases without tracheostomy or with additional procedures at the tracheostomy site. This study followed PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: 121 TIF patients from 18 case series and 46 case reports were included. The median age was 40 years, and 52.9% were male. The overall mortality rate was 64.5%. There were differences in mortality between cases that presented initially with vs without sentinel bleeding (odds ratio [OR] .34; CI [confidence interval] .16-.73; P = .006). The mortality rate also differed in whether or not the tracheostomy cuff was over-inflated for temporary hemostasis during resuscitation (OR 3.57 (CI 1.57-8.09); P = .002). Treatment compared to no treatment had lower mortality rates (OR .11 (CI 0.04-.32); P < .001); no differences were found if treatment was endovascular vs open surgical. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality is a major concern after detection of a TIF and resuscitation paired with endovascular or open surgical intervention is imperative. Rapidly investigating sentinel bleeds and intervening upon hemorrhage with temporary cuff over inflation may lead to improved outcomes.

Tracheal injury following robotic thyroidectomy: A literature review of epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment and 3 case reports.

Robotic thyroidectomy is one of the most advanced surgical procedures used to manage benign and malignant thyroid nodules. However, complication risks such as tracheal injury still exists. Tracheal injury in robotic thyroidectomy is difficult to detect and is one of the life-threatening complications. This study reviews the current literature on the tracheal injury following robotic thyroidectomy and also discusses our findings on 2060 cases of robotic thyroidectomy via Da Vinci Surgical System performed in our department and finally presents 3 cases treated in our center. PubMed and Web of Science database were searched using Medical Subject Headings (Mesh) related to "tracheal injury" and "robotic thyroidectomy". The search was conducted without publication date limits. We reviewed the literature and summarized common causes, diagnosis and therapeutic options of tracheal injury in robotic thyroidectomy, which has been described in comparison studies or retrospective studies. Tracheal injury is often diagnosed when patients suffer from dyspnea and usually leads to severe postoperative consequences. Tracheal injury can be suspected in all patients having subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax or dyspnea after robotic thyroidectomy. Tracheoscopy is necessary to determine the location and size of tracheal injury. In patients whose condition is stable and the injury is contained, conservative treatment is feasible. Certainly, primary closure or tracheotomy is necessary for patients with serious respiratory difficulty or pneumothorax.

Posterior Tracheal Diverticulum in a Patient Undergoing Tonsillectomy.

This case report describes a male patient in his 20s who presented with bilateral palatine tonsil enlargement and history of infections 4 to 5 times per year and was subsequently found to have tracheal diverticulum.

The Predictors of Persistent Posttracheostomy Tracheocutaneous Fistula and Successful Surgical Closure.

OBJECTIVE: Persistent tracheocutaneous fistula is a well-described complication of prolonged tracheostomy, with a prevalence of about 70% when decannulation is performed after more than 16 weeks. Predictors of its occurrence and outcome of treatment in adults remain unclear. The aim of the study was to describe our experience with the treatment of persistent posttracheostomy tracheocutaneous fistula in adults and to investigate factors associated with its formation and with the success of surgical closure. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. METHODS: Patients who underwent open-approach tracheostomy between 2000 and 2020 were identified by database review. Data on background, need for surgical closure, and the surgical outcome was collected from the medical files and analyzed statistically between groups. RESULTS: Of 516 patients identified, 127 with sufficient long-term follow-up data were included in the study. Compared to patients whose fistula closed spontaneously (n = 85), patients who required surgical closure (n = 42) had significantly higher rates of smoking, laryngeal or thyroid malignancy, and airway obstruction as the indication for tracheostomy, on both univariate and multivariate analysis. In a comparison of patients with successful (n = 29) or failed (n = 11) surgical closure, factors significantly associated with failure were prior radiotherapy and lower preoperative albumin level, on univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Smoking, thyroid or laryngeal malignancy, and airway obstruction indication are risk factors for persistent posttracheostomy tracheocutaneous fistula. Patients should be closely followed after tracheostomy and referred for surgery if the fistula fails to close. Before surgery, careful evaluation of the patient's nutritional status and consideration of prior radiation treatment is mandatory.

Surgical treatment of tracheocutaneous fistula and tracheostomy scars using a hinged flap and local myocutaneous flap.

Tracheocutaneous fistula and tracheostomy scar are complications associated with the prolonged use of tracheostomy tubes. They have functional and cosmetic problems owing to tracheal tugging during swallowing and easily visible scars. Although many procedures exist to correct this issue, there is no consensus on the optimal surgical technique. Therefore, an ideal surgical procedure was devised. The study was performed on 12 patients between September 2016 and May 2021. All patients had persistent tracheocutaneous fistulas or hypertrophic scars on the neck after tracheostomy. All procedures were performed using a hinged flap and two myocutaneous local flaps. All patients had no complications, and their aesthetics were excellent in postoperative photographs. The scar was better on the straight scar when the flap's skin is denuded than on the VY advancement flap. It should be noted, however, that this procedure can cause the flap to become congested in a short period after head and neck surgery. This procedure is safe, reliable and simple for surgical closure. This was found to produce excellent cosmetic results with no major complications.

Tracheoarterial fistula in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis successfully managed by overinflation of the tracheostomy tube cuff alone: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Tracheoarterial fistula is the most devastating complication after tracheostomy, and its mortality, without definitive treatment, approaches 100%. In general, the combination of bedside emergency management, that is, overinflation of the tracheostomy tube cuff, and definitive treatment such as surgical or endovascular intervention is necessary to prevent the poor outcome. Patients with neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are susceptible to tracheoarterial fistula because of long-term mechanical ventilation and muscle weakness. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of tracheoarterial fistula in a Japanese 39-year-old patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with long-term ventilator management. The patient was clinically diagnosed with a tracheoarterial fistula because of massive bleeding following sentinel hemorrhage. The massive hemorrhage was controlled by overinflation of the tracheostomy tube cuff alone, without definitive treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggests overinflation of the tracheostomy tube cuff alone plays an important role, semi-permanently, in the management of tracheoarterial fistula, especially in cases where surgical or endovascular intervention is not indicated. Clinicians taking care of patients with tracheostomy undergoing long-term mechanical ventilation should be aware that tracheoarterial fistula might occur following tracheostomy.

Outcomes and complications of simple layered closure of persistent tracheocutaneous fistula after tracheostomy in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Up to half of all children who have a tracheostomy will develop a persistent tracheo-cutaneous fistula (TCF) after decannulation. Surgical closure of the TCF is technically easy but post-operative complications can be immediate and life-threatening. These include air leak from the tracheal repair leading to massive surgical emphysema or pneumothorax. We reviewed our experience of TCF closure to try to identify potential risk factors for complications. METHOD: Retrospective case record review of all children (0-16 years) who underwent surgical TCF closure between January 2010 and December 2021 following development of a persistent TCF after decannulation of a tracheostomy. RESULTS: We identified 67 children. They ranged in age from 14 months to 16 years (median 3 years 10 months) at the time of the TCF closure. Major medical comorbidities were present in 90%. Pre-operative pulse oximetry with the fistula occluded was used in 29 children (43%). An underwater leak test was performed in 28 (42%). A non-suction drain was used in 29 children (43%). Prophylactic antibiotics were prescribed for 30 children (45%). Post-operative complications occurred in 15 children (22%). Life-threatening air leak occurred in the immediate post-operative period in 2 children (3%). Respiratory distress occurred in 3 children (4%) in the recovery area immediately after surgery. None required re-tracheostomy. Three children suffered post-operative pneumonia (4%), and wound infections occurred in 8 children (12%). We were unable to show a significant association between patient or surgical factors and complications. DISCUSSION: Complications for TCF closure are unfortunately common and it is unclear from the available evidence how best to prevent them. Further research is required.

Incidence of Persistent Tracheocutaneous Fistula After Pediatric Tracheostomy Decannulation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) and identify characteristics associated with persistence. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort. METHODS: All successfully decannulated children (<18 years) between 2014 and 2020 at a tertiary children's hospital were included. Revision tracheostomies, concomitant major neck surgery, or single-stage laryngotracheal reconstructions were excluded. A persistent TCF was defined as a patent fistula at 6 weeks after decannulation. RESULTS: A total of 77 children met inclusion criteria with a persistent TCF incidence of 65% (50/77). Children with a persistent TCF were younger at placement (1.4 years (SD: 3.3) vs. 8.5 years (SD: 6.5), p < 0.001) and tracheostomy-dependent longer (2.8 years (SD: 1.3) vs. 0.9 years (SD: 0.7), p < 0.001). On univariate analysis, placement under 12 months of age (86% vs. 26% p < 0.001), duration of tracheostomy more than 2 years (76% vs. 11% p < 0.001), short gestation (64% vs. 26%, p = 0.002), congenital malformations (64% vs. 33%, p = 0.02), newborn complications (58% vs. 26%, p = 0.009), maternal complications (40% vs. 11%, p = 0.009) and chronic respiratory failure (72% vs. 41%, p = 0.01) were associated with persistent TCF. Logistic regression analysis associated duration of tracheostomy (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.05-0.35, p < 0.001) and congenital malformations (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.06-0.99, p = 0.049) with failure to spontaneously close. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of children will develop a persistent TCF after tracheostomy decannulation. Persistent TCF is correlated with a longer duration of tracheostomy and congenital malformations. Anticipation of this event in higher-risk children is necessary when caring for pediatric tracheostomy patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:417-422, 2023.

Delayed Tracheal Perforation After Partial Thyroidectomy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Tracheal perforation is an extremely rare and potentially dangerous complication of a partial thyroidectomy. The current case represents a unique presentation of delayed tracheal perforation following an uncomplicated thyroid isthmusectomy for tissue diagnosis of an aggressive appearing thyroid mass in the setting of high-dose steroid administration and recent intubation and self-extubation. While conservative management of tracheal perforation can sometimes be appropriate, our patient was successfully managed via primary closure and infrahyoid muscle transposition flap to cover a 5 mm right lateral tracheal wall defect. We recommend caution be exercised following thyroid surgery in the setting of intubation and high-dose steroids.

Tracheal bronchus: a rare cause of recurrent pneumonia in adults.

Tracheal bronchus, also known as bronchus suis, is a rare congenital anomaly of the airway where an accessory bronchus originates directly from the trachea. With an estimated incidence of 0.001%-2.0%, this condition is rarely reported in literature. It is usually discovered as an incidental finding in an otherwise asymptomatic individual. However, it can act as a focus of recurrent infection or present as persistent radiographic infiltrates. Multidetector CT imaging and bronchoscopy play a crucial role in the identification of this entity. We hereby report the case of a middle-aged man who presented with recurrent right upper lobe pneumonia, which was found to be due to an underlying tracheal bronchus.

Tracheal Diverticulum as a Cause of Recurrent Infection in Post-Lung Transplant Patients: A Report of 2 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Tracheal diverticulum (TD) is a rare entity in clinical practice, accidentally found by imaging methods. It is a potential factor for the development of chronic respiratory infections, contributing to the progression of preexisting lung diseases and putting the success of lung transplantation at risk. OBJECTIVES: This paper reports 2 cases of TD with atypical clinical presentation in post-lung transplant patients with recurrent infections and aims to present the importance of this differential diagnosis. DISCUSSION: Case 1: A 30-year-old man with terminal lung disease underwent bilateral lung transplantation with a satisfactory postoperative period. He presented with TD as a focus of recurrent infection associated with persistent hemoptysis. Indicated for surgical resection (cervicotomy with resection of tracheal diverticulum), without complications. He evolved uneventfully in the postoperative period and was clinically stable at follow-up. Case 2: A 57-year-old woman with hypersensitivity pneumonia associated with secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension and bronchiectasis underwent bilateral lung transplantation without complications. She presented with TD as a focus of infection associated with esophageal symptoms. Indicated for the surgical approach (cervicotomy with resection of tracheal diverticulum), she was asymptomatic at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment is recommended in elderly and asymptomatic patients. Surgical resection is based on the recurrence of symptoms and failure of clinical therapy and is the preferred approach for reported cases.