Endoscopic treatment of nonmalignant tracheoesophageal and bronchoesophageal fistula: results and prognostic factors for its success

Nonmalignant esophago-respiratory fistulas (ERF) are frightening clinical situations, involving surgery with high morbi-mortality rate. We described the endoscopic management of benign ERF. The aim of the study was to describe outcomes of endoscopic treatment of nonmalignant ERF and to analyze factors associated with its success.

This is a retrospective study involving patients managed for benign ERF in our center between 2012 and 2016. The ERFs were classified into three groups of sizes: (I) punctiform, (II) medium, and (III) large. The primary aim was to document the endoscopic success (= fistula’s healing after 6 months). The secondary objectives were characteristics of endoscopic treatment, the functional success and death, and identifying factors associated with success and death.

22 patients were included. The etiologies of ERF were surgery in 12 patients, esophageal dilatation in 3, invasive ventilation in 3, radiation therapy in 2, and tracheostomy in 2. Ninety-three procedures were performed (mean of number: 4.2 ± 4.5/patient). Twenty-one patients had stent placement, eight over-the-scope clips (OTSC), and seven a combined therapy. The endoscopic success rate was 45.5% (n = 10; 67% in punctiform, 50% in medium, and 14% in large ERF), and the functional success was 55% (n = 12). Serious adverse events occurred in 9 patients (40.9%). Six patients died (27%). The persistence of the orifice after 6 months of endoscopic treatment was associated with failure (OR 44; IC95: 3.38–573.4; p = 0.004 multivariate analysis). The orifice’s size was associated with mortality [71% of death if large fistulas (p = 0.001) univariate analysis].

Endoscopic treatment of ERF leads to 45.5% of successful endoscopic closure and 55.5% of functional success, depending on fistula’s orifice size. After 6 months without healing, the chances for success dramatically decrease.