Surgery for a large tracheoesophageal fistula using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Fistula formation between the esophagus and the tracheobronchial tree after definitive chemo-radiotherapy for esophageal cancer is a life-threatening complication. Conservative, endoscopic and surgical repair of the fistula has been advocated. The choice for a treatment is directed by the location and size of the fistula as well as patient’s condition. If surgery is indicated, the management of the airway and ventilation can be a major challenge. Here, we present a patient who underwent an extensive surgical treatment of a massive tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) by using veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO)