[Treatment of esophagotracheal and esophagobronchial fistulas secondary to carcinoma of the esophagus]

An experience with 16 patients with respiratory tract fistula (RTF) related to carcinoma of the esophagus is presented. The malignant fistula was present at the time of initial presentation and/or before any therapeutic intervention in 11 patients, and developed either during or following a course of radiation therapy in 5 patients. Bronchoscopy examination in 8 patients prior to RTF development showed tracheobronchial invasion or impingement in all. The patients were divided in five groups according to the treatment received. One patient received no specific therapy although was fed via nasogastric tube. Three patients had a feeding gastrostomy. Four patients underwent insertion of a Celestin tube. Three patients were submitted to esophageal exclusion with combinations of cervical esophagostomy, feeding gastrostomy and ligation or complete division of the gastroesophageal junction; drainage of the excluded esophagus was provided by a red rubber catheter. Five patients received by-pass operation: four had Kirschner-Ong operation with gastric by-pass placed substernally and distal esophagus anastomosed to a Roux-en-Y jejunal loop; in one patient an isoperistaltic gastric tube brought to the neck substernally was used for esophageal by-pass. These patients had, by far, the best palliative results with complete relief of their respiratory tract symptoms and restoration of the ability to eat and drink. Substernal gastric by-pass of the RTF is therefore advocated if the general conditions of the patient are improved with the institution of parenteral hyperalimentation and antibiotic therapy.

Measuring gas leakage from bronchopleural fistulas during high-frequency jet ventilation

A simple volumetric system can be used to measure leakage from bronchopleural fistulas even when inspiratory volumes are unknown or when constant suction is required.

[Elimination of a stable residual pleural cavity with an antibacterial fibrin filling]

A simple, effective and safe method is proposed to liquidate a persistent residual pleural cavity by a biological filling prepared ex tempore from a solution of fibrinogen with antibacterial drugs. The method was used in 24 patients after pleura empyema. The method of filling is described as well as the conditions for a successful use of the new means of liquidation of the residual pleural cavity and prevention of recurrent pleura empyemas.

Low-compression high frequency positive pressure ventilation (HFPPV): a review

HFPPV is not a jet technique, as it works without air entrainment. A low-compression ventilator, with a conventional rate of 20/min, provides efficient intrapulmonary gas mixing; however, with higher rates of 60-100/min the high inspiratory flow improves transfer/mixing of gas in the conducting airways. HFPPV for endoscopy is now established in clinical practice, and its use for treatment of bronchopleural fistulas in documented. In acute respiratory failure, volume-controlled HFPPV seems to be as efficient and as well accepted by the patients as conventional intermittent positive pressure ventilation. It is important to note that enhanced gas mixing and improved gas distribution during HFPPV in acute respiratory failure patients are accomplished with lower mean airway pressure, thereby reducing barotrauma. In the future, versatile low-compression ventilators for volume-controlled IPPV and HFPPV will hopefully improve safety, efficiency and patient acceptance of mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory failure.

High-frequency jet ventilation in a patient with sarcoidosis and bilateral bronchopleural fistulae

A patient with sarcoidosis developed bilateral bronchopleural fistulae and was managed with high-frequency ventilation. A review of this technique along with other mechanical ventilatory measures is presented.

Management of bronchopleural fistula following pneumonectomy

Bronchopleural fistula developed in 28 (12.5%) of 225 pneumonectomies performed for pulmonary carcinoma of non-small cell types during a 10-year period. The incidence of fistula apparently decreased significantly when chromic catgut was replaced by Dexon for closure of the bronchial stump. The fistula presented as an emergency in nine cases and was subacute in 19. The overall mortality from bronchopleural fistula was 28.6%. Conservative treatment, i.e. bronchoscopic application of silver nitrate to destroy the epithelium in the bronchial stump and induce granulation, achieved closure of fistula in all the surviving patients. In the seven patients with sterile pleural cavity the pleura was not drained. The results justified our principle of conservative management when a bronchopleural fistula does not present as an emergency. In emergency situations, however, or if the pleural fluid is purulent, pleural drainage should be instituted.

Unilateral high frequency jet ventilation. Reduction of leak in bronchopleural fistula

A young alcoholic presented with severe bilateral bronchopneumonia, which required prolonged treatment with intermittent positive pressure ventilation. High airway pressures were necessary for effective gas exchange. A recurrent tension pneumothorax led to a persistent bronchopleural fistula which resulted in hypercarbia and hypoxaemia despite the use of large minute volumes. Surgical resection was not considered feasible because of extensive local infection. Asynchronous independent lung ventilation was instituted, using a double-lumen endobronchial tube. A considerable leak still occurred through the bronchopleural fistula, and it was only when high frequency jet ventilation was substituted to the fistula-containing lung that the leak was virtually abolished, while improving gas exchange. High frequency jet ventilation in bronchopleural fistula is of potential benefit.

A non-tumoral esophago-bronchial fistula managed by isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate

Non-tumoral esophago-bronchial fistulas are usually treated by gastrostomy. This case-report describes the endoscopic obstruction with an acrylate glue in a 75-year-old woman.

Detachable balloon occlusion of bronchopleural fistulae in dogs

The use of detachable balloon occlusion in closure of bronchopleural fistulae was investigated in eight dogs. Fistula occlusion could not be achieved in one dog, and the balloon was not large enough to occlude a fistula in a second dog. Satisfactory fistula occlusion was achieved in the remaining six dogs. All fistulae occluded were shown to be satisfactorily healed at ten days. There were no significant sequelae to bronchial occlusion during this period. Detachable balloon occlusion of bronchopleural fistulae has the potential for satisfactory fistula control prior to more definitive surgery.

Intermittent positive pressure ventilation and high frequency ventilation in dogs with experimental bronchopleural fistulae

This study evaluated respiratory and cardiovascular responses of canines in whom bilateral bronchopleural fistulae were created surgically, and in whom ventilation was varied between intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) and high frequency ventilation (HFV). An Emerson prototype ventilator was used for HFV at rates of 300-1400/min at driving pressures of 2.5, 5.0, and 10 psi. Gas exchange was judged by arterial and mixed venous blood gases. Cardiac performance was measured by cardiac index, heart rate, stroke index, stroke work index, systemic and pulmonary vascular pressures and resistances. Ventilation during IPPV with the fistula open resulted in a statistically significant increase in PaCO2 and a decrease in PaO2 when compared to both HFV modes. Variations in cardiac function in these open-chested animals were insignificant for all variables tested except pulmonary artery pressures which rose significantly in the IPPV group.

Neonatal high-frequency jet ventilation

Ten neonates with intractable respiratory failure were treated with high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV). Nine had progressive pulmonary air leaks with either bronchopleural fistulas or pulmonary interstitial emphysema as the primary cause of their respiratory failure. Following HFJV, x-ray film evidence of pulmonary air leaks decreased in seven of the nine neonates. PaO2/FIO2 increased in eight of the ten patients (P less than .05), and PaCO2 values decreased in nine of the ten patients (P less than .01). Five patients survived. Three of the six patients exposed to HFJV for more than 20 hours developed significant tracheal obstruction. From this experience, it may be concluded that HFJV can successfully ventilate certain neonates with intractable respiratory failure secondary to progressive pulmonary air leaks. In its present form, long-term neonatal HFJV carries a risk of airway obstruction and/or damage.

Long-term high frequency jet ventilation in a 3-year-old child

Successful management of a large bronchopleural fistula in a 3-yr-old child with high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) is described. Respiratory insufficiency in the child occurred secondary to hemophilus influenza pneumonia. After 7 days of conventional ventilatory support, a bronchopleural fistula occurred with massive lung collapse and subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema. The child was ventilated with a high frequency jet ventilator for 37 days with resulting healing of the fistula. During ventilatory support with HFJV, no sedation or muscle relaxants were needed. Two problem areas in long-term support in children were discussed, namely, partial tube obstruction because of thick secretion and the need for proper humidification. A significant advantage of HFJV was the ability to superimpose it on spontaneous breathing with elimination of sedation or muscle relaxants.

Effectiveness of high-frequency jet ventilation in management of an experimental bronchopleural fistula

An animal model was prepared to compare the effectiveness of high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) with that of conventional intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) in managing bronchopleural fistula. In ten adult beagles, the left upper pulmonary lobe was resected and the left upper lobe bronchus was cannulated to establish a permanent bronchopleural fistula. Apposition of the middle lobe to the chest wall was examined via an open thoracotomy. Fistula leakage was measured with the thoracotomy closed, and chest tube drainage was set at 20 cm H2O. With HFJV, lung apposition was attained at lower peak (8.9 cm H2O) and expiratory (5.7 cm H2O) pressures than with IPPV (21.2 cm H2O Peak pressure and 10.7 cm H2O expiratory pressure). With equivalent arterial blood gases, fistula leakage was 47 per cent higher with IPPV than with HFJV (P less than .001). Each 5 cm of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) added increased fistula leakage similarly to both systems. Varying the frequency of HFJV did not alter leakage significantly, but increasing the driving pressure markedly increased leakage. Thus, experimentally, HFJV proved superior to IPPV in the management of bronchopleural fistula. When HFJV is used clinically to manage a bronchopleural fistula, the driving pressure should be kept as low as possible and PEEP should be limited. The ventilatory rate may be varied to achieve the desired PaCO2 without significantly affecting leakage through the fistula.

Medical management of esophageal obstruction and esophageal-pulmonary fistula

In patients with advanced esophageal stenosis, the quality of life is significantly effected. Nutrition and hydration are impaired, meals cause agony not pleasure, oral secretions cannot be swallowed properly, and pulmonary aspiration is common. Restoration of an adequate lumen will relieve the symptoms of esophageal stenosis. The goal of initial therapy is to establish and maintain a patent esophagus at the lowest risk and cost to the patient. Malignant esophageal stenosis safely may be dilated by the peroral route even in patients undergoing radiotherapy or with esophagopulmonary fistula. In those patients who fail to respond to esophageal dilation, surgery, or irradiation therapy for malignant esophageal stenosis, a peroral esophageal prosthesis may be placed under local anesthesia after proper esophageal dilation. The prosthesis is prepared for each patient based on the length of the esophageal stenosis. The procedure requires less than one minute to perform. The patient has no foreign body sensation and is able to swallow a soft-to-regular diet for the remainder of his life. This method may also be used to occlude esophagopulmonary fistulae caused by malignancy. The quality and duration of life both are significantly improved by use of the peroral prosthesis in patients with malignant esophageal obstruction. Nutrition support by nasoenteric or jejunostomy tube should be used when needed to restore nitrogen balance and immune competence.