Abstract
Congenital bronchoesophageal fistulas (BEFs) are usually diagnosed during the neonatal period. Only simple types (type 2) may remain undiagnosed until adulthood. Congenital BEFs may remain hidden if the orifice of the fistula is closed with a permanent membrane, and/or the esophageal orifice is below the level of the bronchial orifice. Bronchoesophageal fistulas should be treated as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed with early surgical intervention. Despite their benign nature, congenital BEFs may lead to fatal complications, for example massive hemoptysis. In this article, we present a 55-year-old female patient with a congenital BEF. The fistula was first suspected during an inguinal hernia operation. Her mild symptoms became worse following the diagnosis, and hemoptysis developed. A fistulectomy using a right thoracotomy and right lower lobectomy were then performed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 645-648 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2012 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Surgery
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine