A fast placement technique for covered tracheobronchial stents in patients with complicated esophagorespiratory fistulas

The prognostic predictors of patients with airway involvement due to advanced esophageal cancer after metallic airway stenting using flexible bronchoscopy

Background

Patients with advanced esophageal cancer and airway involvement have a poor prognosis. Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) implantation via bronchoscopy can immediately relieve airway stenosis and improve survival. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that predict survival in patients with airway involvement due to advanced esophageal cancer after SEMS implantation.

Methods

We conducted this retrospective study from February 2007 to October 2013 at a university hospital. Forty-two patients with advanced esophageal cancer and airway involvement were included. The patients underwent flexible bronchoscopy with electrosurgery and SEMS implantation under bronchoscopic visualization and local anesthesia with no fluoroscopic guidance throughout the procedure.

Results

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) occurred in 14 patients (33.3%). After SEMS implantation, 28 patients (66.7%) received additional anti-cancer therapy. The median survival after the procedure was 83 days. A longer survival was seen in the patients who received further anti-cancer therapy [hazard ratio (HR), 0.146; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.06-0.34; P<0.001]. Persistent pneumonia and poor performance status (PS) were potential factors for not receiving further therapy. The patients who received anti-cancer therapy before the procedure (HR, 3.429; 95% CI, 1.54-7.60; P=0.002) and those with ARF (HR, 5.224; 95% CI, 2.23-12.26; P<0.001) had worse survival.

Conclusions

SEMS insertion with flexible bronchoscopy without fluoroscopic guidance in the patients with airway involvement due to advanced esophageal cancer was safe and feasible. The patients who received anti-cancer therapy before the procedure and those with ARF had a poor prognosis. Post-airway stenting therapy had the positive impact on survival in these patients.

Chinese expert consensus on diagnosis and management of acquired respiratory-digestive tract fistulas

Acquired respiratory‐digestive tract fistulas occur with abnormal communication between the airways and digestive tract, causing the interflow of gas and liquid. Despite advances in surgical methods and the development of multimodal therapy in recent years, patients with acquired respiratory‐digestive tract fistulas continue to exhibit unfavorable clinical outcomes. Therefore, in order to guide clinical practice in China, the Respiratory and Cancer Intervention Alliance of the Beijing Health Promotion Association organized a group of experienced experts in the field to develop this consensus document. Based on a study of clinical application and expert experience in the diagnosis and management of acquired respiratory‐digestive tract fistulas at home and abroad, an Expert Consensus was developed. The panelists recruited comprised experts in pulmonology, oncology, thoracic surgery, interventional radiology, and gastroenterology. PubMed, Chinese Biology Abstract, Chinese Academic Journal, and Wanfang databases were used to identify relevant articles. The guidelines address etiology, classification, pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of acquired respiratory‐digestive tract fistulas. The statements on treatment focus on the indications for different procedures, technical aspects, and preprocedural, post‐procedural and complication management. The proposed guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acquired respiratory‐digestive tract fistulas are the first to be published by Chinese experts. These guidelines provide an in‐depth review of the current evidence and standard of diagnosis and management.

Simultaneous dual scope endotherapy of esophago-airway fistulas and obstructions

Management of esophago-airway fistulas (EAF) and obstructions often involves therapy with esophageal and/or airway stents. We present a unique approach for the management of EAF and obstructions with simultaneous upper endoscopy and bronchoscopy (two scopes inserted simultaneously through the mouth). The aim is to assess the efficacy and safety of a simultaneous dual scope approach for management of EAF and obstructions. The endoscopy database at the University of Florida was reviewed from October 2007 to April 2012 to identify adult patients who had undergone simultaneous upper endoscopy and bronchoscopy for EAF and obstructions. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, indication, pathology, imaging, simultaneous endoscopic and bronchoscopic findings/maneuvers, outcomes, and adverse events. Outcomes assessed included: (i) technical success, (ii) fistula occlusion, (iii) dysphagia score, and (iv) adverse events. Thirteen patients with EAF and/or obstruction underwent simultaneous dual scope endoscopy. Dual scope procedures were technically successful in 12/13 (92%) patients. Dysphagia score improved from three to one in both patients with dysphagia without EAF. Fistula occlusion was observed in 7/10 patients (70%) with EAF. With this technique, stents were placed accurately without airway compression, migrated esophageal stents extracted from the tracheal lumen without trauma, and tracheal stents not displaced during esophageal manipulations. EAF not otherwise apparent were identified in two patients. Adverse events occurred in 2/13 (15%) patients, and 5/13 (38%) patients died from advanced cancer during follow up (mean 4.1 months, range 1-8 months). Simultaneous dual scope (two scopes inserted through the mouth at the same time) therapy of EAF and obstructions is feasible, effective, and safe, and may develop to be the preferred approach for the management of complex esophago-airway diseases.

Successful closure of intractable tracheoesophageal fistula using a combination of a modified silicon stent and metallic stents

Although surgery is the usual management strategy for acquired benign tracheoesophageal fistula, sometimes this approach is contraindicated or the patient declines surgical management. In this report, we describe a case of a patient with tracheoesophageal fistula at the level of the carina due to bronchial arterial infusion chemotherapy. Closure could not be achieved in response to multiple treatment strategies, including airway stenting, esophageal stenting, occlusion with microcoils, or cyanoacrylate glue. We subsequently achieved closure of this fistula through the combination of a modified silicon stent and metallic stents.

Interventional management of esophagorespiratory fistula

An esophagorespiratory fistula (ERF) is an often fatal consequence of esophageal or bronchogenic carcinomas. The preferred treatment is placement of esophageal and/or airway stents. Stent placement must be performed as quickly as possible since patients with ERFs are at a high risk for aspiration pneumonia. In this review, choice of stents and stenting area, fistula reopening and its management, and the long-term outcome in the interventional management of malignant ERFs are considered. Lastly, a review of esophagopulmonary fistulas will also be provided.

Successful tubes treatment of esophageal fistula

AIM

To discuss the merits of "tubes treatment" for esophageal fistula (EF).

METHODS

A 66-year-old female who suffered from a bronchoesophageal and esophagothoratic fistula underwent a successful "three tubes treatment" (close chest drainage, negative pressure suction at the leak, and nasojejunal feeding tube), combination of antibiotics, antacid drugs and nutritional support. Another 55-year-old male patient developed an esophagopleural fistula (EPF) after esophageal carcinoma operation. He too was treated conservatively with the three tubes strategy as mentioned above towards a favorable outcome.

RESULTS

The two patients recovered with the tubes treatment, felt well and became able to eat and drink, presenting no complaint.

CONCLUSION

Tubes treatment is an effective basic way for EF. It may be an alternative treatment option.