[An oesophagotracheal Fistula following prolonged intubation (author's transl)]

Attention is drawn to the case of an oesophagotracheal fistula following prolonged intubation. A combination of physical factors, the use of unsuitable cuffs and a nasogastric feeding tube, are considered to be the cause. Surgical repair of the fistula is advised as soon as possible. While primary closure of the oesophageal defect is always possible, suture of the membraneous trachea may be impossible and a graft may be necessary to cover the defect. For this is recommended oral mucosa, which achieved very good result in this reported case.