TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Management of Malignant Esophageal Fistula A1 - Magee, Mitchell J. A1 - Sonett, Joshua R. A2 - Sugarbaker, David J. A2 - Bueno, Raphael A2 - Burt, Bryan M. A2 - Groth, Shawn S. A2 - Loor, Gabriel A2 - Wolf, Andrea S. A2 - Williams, Marcia A2 - Adams, Ann Y1 - 2020 N1 - T2 - Sugarbaker’s Adult Chest Surgery, 3e AB - Malignant esophageal fistula occurs infrequently, yet remains one of the most challenging complications encountered in thoracic oncology, with few or no improvements in management or outcomes in the past decade. It may occur in the setting of complicated esophageal cancer, presenting at an advanced stage of disease, or as a complication of treatment. Occasionally, perforation and fistula may complicate the initial presenting diagnostic endoscopy. The fundamental tenets of successful management of any fistula, including relief of distal obstruction, treatment of infection, nutrition, and treatment of underlying malignancy, should be kept in mind but unfortunately are inherent to the disease process and usually overwhelming for patient and clinician. Increased experience with covered self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) and associated delivery systems has dramatically changed the approach to managing benign esophageal fistulas, particularly involving the tracheobronchial tree. Indeed, nonoperative management of perforations and fistulas associated with benign disease of the esophagus has increasingly proven effective and may include a combination of endoscopic suture, clips, and covered stents or endoluminal vacuum-assisted therapies. Unfortunately, these techniques have not proven appropriate or effective in managing most patients with perforations complicated by malignant disease. Palliation and not cure is the objective in the majority of patients afflicted with this uniformly fatal complication, which most often occurs in the setting of advanced-stage disease. A multidisciplinary approach to accurate and precise diagnosis and treatment is essential. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/23 UR - accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1170406795 ER -