Novel technique of repair of large tracheo-esophageal fistula following battery ingestion in children: review of two cases

Evaluating the management timeline of tracheoesophageal fistulas secondary to button batteries: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the incidence of pediatric button battery (BB) ingestions has risen. Children have spent more time at home from school, while many parents try to balance working from home and childcare. Additionally, the amount of electronics powered by BB has increased. Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) secondary to a retained aerodigestive BB is a devastating development. Management is challenging, and the clinical timeline of watchful waiting versus surgical intervention for TEF is poorly defined in the literature.

METHODS

In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, databases searched include PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL from database date of inception through August 13, 2021. All study designs were included, and no language, publication date, or other restrictions were applied. Case series and reports of TEFs secondary to BBs were included. Clinical risk factors and outcomes were compared between the spontaneous closure and surgical repair groups.

RESULTS

A total of 79 studies with 105 total patients were included. Mortality was 11.4%. There were 23 (21.9%) TEFs that spontaneously closed and 71 (67.6%) that underwent surgical repair. Median time to spontaneous closure compared to surgical repair was significantly different (8.0 weeks [IQR 4.0-18.4] vs. 2.0 weeks [IQR 0.1-3.3], p<0.001). Smaller TEFs were more likely to spontaneously close versus being surgically repaired (9.3 mm ± 3.5 vs. 14.9 mm ± 8.3, p=0.022). Duration of symptoms before BB discovery, BB size, time between BB removal and TEF discovery, and location of the TEF were not statistically different between the spontaneous closure and surgical repair groups.

CONCLUSION

A TEF secondary to BB ingestion is a potentially deadly complication. Timing of reported TEF spontaneous closure varies significantly. While smaller TEFs may be amenable to healing without surgical repair, no other significant factors were identified that may be associated with spontaneous closure. If clinical status permits, these data suggest a period of observation of at least 8 weeks prior to surgical intervention may be practical for many BB-induced TEFs.

[Treatment of complications following esophageal electrochemical burns by batteries in children]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the optimal treatment of patients with complications of esophageal electrochemical burns by batteries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

There were 75 children with esophageal electrochemical burns by batteries between 2010 and 2019. All children underwent X-ray of the cervical spine, chest and abdomen, esophagoscopy with removal of the battery, tracheoscopy. Complications occurred in 39 children: TEF - 21, esophageal stenosis - 19, laryngeal paresis - 14, esophageal perforation - 3. Patients with TEF were divided into 2 groups: clinically stable children without respiratory failure and severe illness with respiratory failure including mechanical ventilation. Group I consisted of 6 children, four of them underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and gastrostomy. Group II consisted of 15 children. In acute period, 3 children underwent laparoscopic fundoplication and gastrostomy, 8 ones - TEF ligation, 4 patients - tracheal repair with esophageal flap and esophageal extirpation. Patients with esophageal stenosis underwent bougienage. Patients with esophageal perforation required therapy. Tracheostomy was necessary for respiratory failure and bilateral laryngeal paresis. Lateralization procedures were performed in patients with negative course of disease.

RESULTS

In the 1st group, spontaneous closure of TEF was found in 3 children after fundoplication and gastrostomy. One child underwent thoracoscopic disconnection of TEF after reduction of fistula. In the 2nd group, fundoplication resulted spontaneous closure of fistula after 2-5 months. In 4 children, recanalization of the fistula or esophageal failure were observed in acute period after TEF ligation.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic fundoplication and gastrostomy are optimal for TEF and can result complete or partial spontaneous closure of TEF. If radical procedure is necessary in acute period, tracheal repair with esophageal flap and extirpation of the esophagus with subsequent coloesophagoplasty should be considered.

Slide Tracheoplasty for Repair of Complex Tracheoesophageal Fistulas

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Repair of large, recurrent, and complex tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEFs) is challenging and numerous different surgical approaches exist. These various techniques each carry a set of risks and possible complications such as fistula recurrence, tracheal stenosis or pouches, esophageal stenosis, and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Slide tracheoplasty is a reconstructive technique successfully used in many different airway pathologies, including TEF repair. This study examines the success, limits, and complications related to slide tracheoplasty for repair of complex TEFs.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

METHODS

Patients undergoing TEF repair using a cervical or thoracic approach slide tracheoplasty, at a single institution, between July 2008 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, comorbidities, TEF etiology and surgical history, slide tracheoplasty details and outcomes, and postoperative complication data were examined using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients underwent 27 slide tracheoplasties for TEF (20 cervical approaches, 7 thoracic approaches) with a mean age of 5.2 years (IQR 0.7-7.6) at time of surgery. The most common TEF etiologies included congenital (n = 13), tracheostomy tube erosion (n = 5), and button battery ingestion (n = 4). Fistulas ranged in size from <0.5 mm to 4 cm and 59% had previous endoscopic or open repairs. There were two TEF recurrences (7.4%), one of which was successfully revised and the other which was treated with stent placement. Postoperative complications included dehiscence (3.7%), unilateral vocal fold paralysis (3.7%), and mild tracheal stenosis (18.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Slide tracheoplasty is an effective surgical technique for treating complex congenital and acquired TEFs with lower rates of complications when compared to other techniques.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV Laryngoscope, 2021.

The multi-disciplinary management of complex congenital and acquired tracheo-oesophageal fistulae

AIM OF THE STUDY

Complex tracheo-oesophageal fistulae (TOF) are rare congenital or acquired conditions in children. We discuss here a multidisciplinary (MDT) approach adopted over the past 5 years.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data on all patients with recurrent or acquired TOF managed at a single institution. All cases were investigated with neck and thorax CT scan. Other investigations included flexible bronchoscopy and bronchogram (B&B), microlaryngobronchoscopy (MLB) and oesophagoscopy. All cases were subsequently discussed in an MDT meeting on an emergent basis if necessary.

MAIN RESULTS

14 patients were referred during this study period of which half had a congenital aetiology and the other half were acquired. The latter included button battery ingestions (5/7) and iatrogenic injuries during oesophageal atresia (OA) repair. Surgical repair was performed on cardiac bypass in 3/7 cases of recurrent congenital fistulae and all cases of acquired fistulae. Post-operatively, 9/14 (64%) patients suffered complications including anastomotic leak (1), bilateral vocal cord paresis (1), further recurrence (1), and mortality (1). Ten patients continue to receive surgical input encompassing tracheal/oesophageal stents and dilatations.

CONCLUSIONS

MDT approach to complex cases is becoming increasingly common across all specialties and is important in making decisions in these difficult cases. The benefits include shared experience of rare cases and full access to multidisciplinary expertise.