RT Book, Section A1 Raja, Siva A1 Chang, Albert S. Y. A1 Mason, David P. A2 Sugarbaker, David J. A2 Bueno, Raphael A2 Colson, Yolonda L. A2 Jaklitsch, Michael T. A2 Krasna, Mark J. A2 Mentzer, Steven J. A2 Williams, Marcia A2 Adams, Ann SR Print(0) ID 1105841399 T1 Surgical Repair of Congenital and Acquired Tracheoesophageal Fistulas T2 Adult Chest Surgery, 2e YR 2015 FD 2015 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-178189-3 LK accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1105841399 RD 2024/04/23 AB The term tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) describes a communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the airway. This defect can present at birth as a congenital anomaly or later in life as an acquired pathology secondary to trauma, malignancy, or inflammation. Management of TEF requires expedient diagnosis with thoughtful planning and implementation of tailored single or multistage therapy. As in all diseases of the esophagus and trachea, patient outcome depends on a clear understanding of the pathophysiology and anatomy of the disease, expert treatment, and sound surgical technique. This chapter focuses on the management of both congenital and acquired TEF.