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Case Reports

Repair of a Postesophagectomy Bronchogastric Tube Fistula With Polyglactin Mesh Supported With a Muscle Flap

^a Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
^b Department of Gastroenteric Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

Accepted for publication April 15, 2009.

^_* Address correspondence to Dr Rea, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences, Policlinico di Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, Padova, 35100, Italy (Email: federico.rea{at}unipd.it).

A bronchogastric fistula is a very rare complication of transthoracic esophagectomy. We report a case of bronchogastric fistula after transthoracic esophagectomy caused by dehiscence of the staple line in the gastric tube, with subsequent erosion into the right main bronchus. The patient was managed successfully in two surgical stages. First, the bronchial defect was repaired using a polyglactin mesh covered by a serratus anterior muscle flap. Two months later, the esophagogastric continuity was restored with colon interposition.