Tracheoesophageal puncture closure with annular mucosal flap.

BACKGROUND

To present an effective and easily applicable method for tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) closure by using a localized annular flap instead of bulky and distant flaps.

METHODS

The medical records of patients who underwent TEP closure surgery with the annular mucosal flap technique between July 2012 and August 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Fistula size, indication for closure, duration of surgery, radiotherapy status, and surgery results were analyzed.

RESULTS

We have used our technique in nine patients. No postoperative bleeding, wound infection, esophageal stenosis, and tracheostoma stenosis occurred. In all these patients except one, successful closure was achieved. None of the patients had a recurrence of the TEP.

CONCLUSION

The annular mucosal flap technique for TEP closure is easy and quick to apply. The patient's oral feeding at the sixth hour after procedure without using a nasogastric tube makes the technique preferable as a priority.