Purpose or Case Report: Introduction: The management of gastrobronchial fistula (GBF) is not well defined in the literature. First line management is non-operative, allowing time for the fistula to close naturally. Surgical intervention is implemented when non-operative management fails. In medically complex patients, who often fail non-operative management, surgical procedures for closure remain high risk for complications.

Case: We present a 2 year-old female with congenital esophageal atresia, duodenal atresia and annular pancreas. Beginning October 2015, she underwent multiple surgical procedures resulting in a multitude of complications. In August 2017, she transferred to our institution for management. Additional immediate operative intervention was pursued given the presence of the GBF. Despite two attempts at operative repair, the fistula recurred. Interventional radiology, consulted March 2018, developed a plan to place a percutaneous pigtail catheter in the esophagus through the dehiscent stomach wall from an external chest tube entry site, creating an iatrogenic enterocutaneous fistula (ECF). Diversion of flow from the GBF to the ECF was hypothesized to allow a conservative alternative for closure and tissue healing to occur. Initially, a 12 French (F) pigtail catheter was placed through the gastric wall into the esophageal pouch allowing the formation of the ECF tract. The patient returned for catheter downsizing to 8F three weeks later. A third intervention was performed to reposition the catheter to ensure that the tissues remained as dehydrated as possible. In May 2018, a 7 mm Cook Biodesign SIS fistula plug was placed. The 8F catheter was used to place a guide wire through the tract, then removed. The AFP bioplug, soaked in contrast to facilitate use of fluoroscopy, was placed through the mouth to seal the gastric wall. Placement was confirmed with a rigid esophagoscope and fluoroscopy. One week later, esophogram confirmed no leak. At 1 month follow-up the patient had no evidence of right pleural fluid and remains without evidence of fistula at five months. The skin site is well-healed.

Discussion: In this case, an ECF was closed with a Cook Biodesign SIS fistula plug allowing for a successful non-operative strategy after multiple failed operative revisions. The plug has FDA approval for the treatment of anal fistula, but given the positive outcome in this case, its use in esophagocutaneous fistulas may be a viable off-label option for other patients.


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