The incidence of tracheoesophageal fistulas and its major determinant factors

Abstract

The tracheoesophageal fistula which occurred during oro-tracheal intubation of a patient in intensive care unit is a true challenge both in diagnostic and in therapeutic approach. The best treatment is prevention, by identifying risk factors but especially is important which the mechanism in the occurrence of tracheoesophageal fistula was. The occurrence of this complication in the evolution of hospitalized patients in ICU is accompanied by significant increase in mortality, contributing to negative prognostic. We have started a large multicentric study in April 2016 regarding all patients who required intubation longer than 7 days. The study will finish at the end of 2020. We are looking for a definite conclusion, in this moment we do not have enough data for a conclusion.