RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Aspiration Via Congenital Broncho-esophageal Fistula After Lobectomy
JF Respiratory Care
FD American Association for Respiratory Care
SP 1195
OP 1197
DO 10.4187/respcare.01116
VO 56
IS 8
A1 Xue-Fei Hu
A1 Chang Chen
A1 Liang Duan
A1 Yi Zhang
A1 Wen Gao
YR 2011
UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/56/8/1195.abstract
AB Aspiration via a congenital broncho-esophageal fistula in an adult thoracotomy patient has not been previously reported. Repeated aspiration and subsequent respiratory failure if the fistula is not recognized could be life-threatening in these postoperative patients. We describe one such critical case, in which a broncho-esophageal fistula was discovered weeks after aspiration and the onset of respiratory failure after left lower lobectomy. This unusual case suggests that repeated localized pulmonary infections can indicate a broncho-esophageal fistula and that further investigations should be performed, including detailed history.