Long‐term outcome following successful endoscopic closure of tracheo‐oesophageal fistulas with two cardiac amplatzer septal occluders in a patient with oesophageal cancer

Abstract

Abstract Acquired tracheo‐oesophageal fistulas (TEFs) are rare and challenging complications in the course of oesophageal cancer. While surgery is the only curative treatment option for TEFs many patients are not eligible for surgery. Endoscopic treatment approaches such as tracheal‐ and/or oesophageal‐ stenting are available, but associated with complications like the development of new fistulas and mucus retention. Off‐ label‐use of cardiac amplatzer occluder devices to close TEFs has been reported in few case‐reports with inconsistent short‐term outcomes. We report a case of successful closure of two adjacent TEFs with two partially overlapping cardiac amplatzer occluder devices. The insertion of a 12 mm and a 9 mm device was successful and without complications. The patient tolerated the cardiac amplatzer‐devices well and could resume oral food uptake after 2 months. Two years after closure, the patient remained free of symptoms suggesting complete sealing of the fistulas.

Keywords

• Amplatzer
• esophago‐tracheal fistula
• outcome
• septal occluder