Closure of Nonmalignant Tracheoesophageal Fistula Using an Atrial Septal Defect Occluder: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a life-threatening condition for which there are several management techniques. We present a case of nonmalignant TEF closure using an atrial septal defect (ASD) occluder. A 53-year-old man with a severe TEF was admitted to our hospital for TEF caused by stenting of an esophagogastric anastomotic stricture. He was successfully treated with closure of the TEF using an endotracheal ASD occluder. Three hundred and eighteen days after placement of the occluder, he suddenly developed a severe cough after dilatation of the esophagogastric anastomosis and spontaneously coughed out the occluder. The fistula was repaired and complete closure that was confirmed on esophagography. He had no recurrence of fistula during the follow-up period of 13 months.