[Gastro-bronchial fistula major complication of sleeve gastrectomy]

Gastrobronchial fistula is a rare complication in gastroesophageal surgical procedures. It is difficult to diagnose and handling is complex. Therefore, there have been developments for non-surgical alternatives to obliterate minor fistula mortality. Endoscopic treatment is an option for patients with small fistulas or in serious condition.

A 38 year old woman with evidence of gastrobronchial fistula postoperated of gastric sleeve, diagnosed during the postoperative period due to clinical variegated was initially handled as infectious respiratory symptoms; once the fistulous path was established, the intention was to close the path using endoclips. However, adding hemopneumothorax, drainage tube placement and thoracotomy were required. It was decided to chose a prosthetic esophageal endoscopic management of polytetraflouroethylene and fibrin as last therapy, because the patient had systemic inflammatory response syndrome, with favorable response to endoscopic management.

Bariatric surgery has shown satisfactory results, however, the complexity of the procedure favors severe complications such as the present case. Gastrobronchial fistulas represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, this is considering from a conservative management to endoscopic procedures, as in our patient.

Although gastrobronchial fistulas are a rare complication, the use of endoscopy in resolution should be a first class weapon in its management, since it offers a lower morbidity in a patient with habitual respiratory symptoms that are difficult to control, with satisfactory results in the medium and long term.