A novel management of post-oesophagectomy gastro-pleural fistula

Oesophageal anastomotic leak and fistula are major and life-threatening complications of oesophagectomy with resultant increased mortality. Non-operative approach of such cases should be the initial strategy. Re-operative surgery and/or stent insertion are considered if conservative measures failed. Although oesophageal stenting is a safe option for the leaks, stent migration and failure to completely cover large anastomotic leaks are the main complications and pitfalls of the procedure. These can be overcome by using multiple or larger stents. We describe a case of a 73-year-old man who underwent a laparoscopic oesophagectomy for an oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The procedure was complicated by a large gastro-pleural fistula and anastomotic leak, resulting into a chronic empyema. The initial conservative treatment and a conventional oesophageal stent insertion failed to heal the fistula and to resolve the empyema. Re-operative surgery was ruled out because of the patient's poor general health and high surgical risk. Due to the changed oesophago-gastric anatomy and a potential risk of migration of the additional conventional stent, a mega stent was deployed with successful closure of the oesophageal leak. Post-stenting contrast studies and an out-patient follow up review of the case confirmed no further anastomotic leakage.