[External gastric fistula in neoplastic esophageal stenosis]

The leakage of gastric contents along the catheter introduced in the gastric lumen is the most frequent complication of the external gastric fistula made in cases of neoplastic esophageal occlusion. In 5 patients, the author applied the modified Witzel's operation using polyvinyl chloride catheter fixed on the skin to prevent it from disengaging. In all these patients the operative wound healed by first intention and no gastric leakage was observed.