Broncho-gastric tube fistula as a complication of esophageal replacement

Respiratory symptoms are a known complication of esophageal replacement by a gastric tube, and are usually due to aspiration secondary to a stricture. We report here a patient who developed a long standing broncho-gastric tube fistula as the underlying cause of severe respiratory symptoms and an unusual complication of this kind of surgery. This fistula was unsuspected for many years as it could not be demonstrated by the usual barium examinations.