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Case Reports

Benign Esophagobronchial Fistula With and Without Esophageal Obstruction: Two Ends of the Surgical Spectrum

^a Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
^b Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
^c University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa

Accepted for publication July 24, 2007.

^_* Address correspondence to Dr Van Natta, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Box 42, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 1000 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90509 (Email: timothy.vannatta{at}gmail.com).

Acquired esophagobronchial fistula (EBF) is uncommon and its surgical remediation is challenging. Management depends on the cause, degree of pulmonary involvement, and existence of esophageal obstruction. We report management of two EBF cases representing extremes of the surgical spectrum. One patient with EBF secondary to mediastinal fungal infection underwent pulmonary resection and esophageal repair. Another, who was positive for human immunodeficiency virus, required esophageal resection and fistula closure, but no pulmonary resection. Successful outcome was achieved in both patients.