Late Esophagopleural Fistula after Left Pneumonectomy: Report on One Case

Esophagopleural fistula is an uncommon complication of pneumonectomy. Late nonmalignant esophagopleural fistula after left pneumonectomy for lung cancer is exceedingly uncommon. We report on one patient who developed such a fistula 33 months after the operation. Signs and symptoms were first attributed to infection of the thoracotomy incision and diagnosis was made only after detection of some food coming from the pleural space. Thoracostomy, enteral feeding by a percutaneously placed gastrostomy tube and myoplasty allowed both closure of the fistula and obliteration of the pleural space.

Key words:

Pneumonectomy - Lung cancer - Esophagopleural fistula

References

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Received for Publication: October 25, 1999