Abstract： Objective To investigate the cause and treatment of iatrogenic tracheobronchoesophageal fistula and provide experiences for clinic treatment. Methods Between January 1995 to December 2008, 21 patients with tracheobronchoesophageal fistula were treated in Shanghai Chest Hospital and Shanghai 6th Hospital. Among them, iatrogenic fistula happened in 12 patients including 8 males and 4 females whose age ranged from 35 to 74 years old with an average age of 47. Fistula developed 21 d to 5 years after the treatment of the primary diseases which were mainly tumors. Two of them developed tracheoesophageal fistula, 10 bronchoesophageal fistula; 6 right bronchoesophageal fistula, and 4 left bronchoesophageal fistula. Fistula excision and surgical repair of the tracheobronchoesophageal fistula were performed on 2 patients; Lung lobectomy and repair of the esophageal fistula were performed on 5 patients; Tracheal fistula repair and pneumonectomy with reconstruction of the digestive tract were done on the rest 5 patients. Results No operative death occurred. Postoperative complications in 2 cases were cured without recurrence. In the 1year followup to all the 12 patients, no recurrence of fistula occurred. Conclusion Iatrogenic tracheobronchoesophageal fistula is a complex and severe disease for which surgery is the only best treatment.
