Endoscopic treatment of recurrent tracheo-oesophageal fistulae: long-term results

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Abstract
Recurrent tracheo-oesophageal fistula (RTOF) occurs in 5%–15% of patients following oesophageal atresia repair. Re-thoracotomy is technically challenging and associated with significant morbidity, including a re-fistulation rate of 10%–22%. Endoscopic occlusion of the RTOF with tissue adhesives (fibrin glue, Histoacryl) is reported to be safe and highly effective. However, long-term results of such therapy are absent from the literature. A postal survey of 13 institutions reporting the use of such treatment regimes for RTOF in the literature between 1974 and 1995 was performed, and data collected concerning the long-term outcomes of their reported patients. Eleven institutions responded to the request for data, providing 22 patients (age range 1 month to 12 years) for review. All had undergone initially successful RTOF closure by endoscopic methods and had been followed up for a median of 107 months (range 3–264 months). There was no morbidity or mortality directly related to the procedure. Overall, only 55% of these endoscopically treated fistulas remained closed long-term. Fistula recurrence invariably occurred within 12 months of successful therapy (median 46 days, range 9–335). Most patients required multiple endoscopic procedures to achieve successful RTOF closure (median 2.0, range 1–4 attempts), although significantly fewer attempts were required with fibrin glue therapy. Surgical re-exploration remains the treatment of choice in the fit child. Endoscopic therapy offers a safe and elegant alternative to high-risk surgery in the sick child, although repeated treatments may be required for successful RTOF closure.

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