Delayed presentation of a tracheoesophageal fistula after blunt chest trauma.

Traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula is an uncommon injury after blunt chest injury. Rapid deceleration against the steering wheel during a high-speed motor vehicle crash is the usual mechanism of injury. Previous reports document few cases of delayed diagnosis and repair of tracheoesophageal fistula. We report a case of delayed diagnosis of tracheoesophageal fistula more than 20 years after the original trauma and describe the subsequent operative repair.