We report a new surgical technique for spontaneous esophagopleural fistula after pneumonectomy.
A 67-year-old man underwent right pneumonectomy for tuberculosis-destroyed lung 30
years previously and a right Eloesser window for empyema without any evidence of fistula
4 years previously. He presented to our hospital for food material spillage out of
the Eloesser window when he was eating. The esophagopleural fistula was observed from
the upper thoracic esophagus to the right postpneumonectomy dead space. He underwent
left cervical esophagogastrostomy via a presternal subcutaneous route, using thoracic
esophageal mucosal stripping. He was discharged without complications on postoperative
day 12.
Keywords
esophagopleural fistula - pneumonectomy - mucosal stripping
