Light guided procedure for congenital pyriform sinus fistula; new and simple procedure for impalpable fistula
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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): An Intervention Sequence
Published on: December 23, 2022
Etsuji Ukiyama1, Masao Endo, Fumiko Yoshida
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Saitama City Hospital, 2460 Mimuro, Midori-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama, 336-8522, Japan. uki@kyorin-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Pyriform sinus fistula causes acute suppurative thyroiditis, and there is a risk of recurrence if the sinus tract is not excised completely. The tract should be dissected as high as possible toward the pyriform fossa. We report our devised technique "the light guided procedure" for the impalpable fistula. A bronchoscope was inserted into the pyriform sinus fistula with the help of a gastrofiberscope positioned at the larynx. The tract of the fistula was identified with the help of the light from the bronchoscope. We were able to reach the proximal end of the fistula, directly. This procedure is easy, safe, and minimally invasive.