Abstract： Objective To summarize the technical characteristics and experience on the surgical treatment of esophagobrochial fistula induced by esophageal carcinoma and explore the safe and effective operation procedures. Methods This report retrospective1y summarized 12 cases of esophagobronchial fistula induced by esophageal cancer between January 2007 and November 2010 in Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University. There were 9 male patients and 3 female patients with their mean age of 51.24 years (ranging from 37 to 62 years). Four types of surgical procedures were performed to patients according to their respective conditions: (1) Esophagectomy ＋“tunnel”esophagogastrostomy ＋ pulmonary lobectomy (2 patients)； (2) Esophagectomy ＋ stapled esophagogastrostomy ＋ pulmonary lobectomy (5 patients)； (3) Esophagectomy ＋ colon interposition for esophagus ＋ pulmonary lobectomy (4 patients)； (4) Esophagectomy ＋ esophagogastrostomy ＋ left pneumonectomy (1 patient). Results Among those 12 cases presenting to our hospital, 2 patients died during the postoperative period and the overall morality was 16.67%(2/12). One patient died of acute congestive heart failure on the 4th postoperative day after esophagectomy, “tunnel”esophagogastrostomy and left lower lobectomy of the lung for esophageal carcinoma directly invading the left lower bronchus, and another patient died of severe infection and renal failure on the 11th postoperative day after esophagectomy, stapled esophagogastrostomy and left upper lobectomy of the lung for esophageal carcinoma directly invading the left upper bronchus. Four patients developed mild empyema and 1 patienthad bronchial fistula after surgery, who finally recovered and were discharged after treatment of antibiotics and drainage. The postoperative morbidity was 41.67%（5/12）. All surviving patients were followed up from 1 month to 3 years. During follow-up, there was one death, and the other patients were alive without any clinical events. Conclusion Individualized surgical procedure is a safe and effective therapeutic choice for patients with esophagobronchial fistula induced by esophageal carcinoma.
