The use of self-expandable plastic stents for non-malignant esophago-pleural fistulas.

Anastomotic leaks and fistulas are unfortunate complications of esophageal-gastric surgery and esophageal dilations. Traditional management options have included surgery or a more conservative approach. There have been few reports describing the use of self-expandable plastic stents for the treatment of esophageal perforations and tracheoesophageal fistulas from benign diseases. We are reporting the use of self-expandable plastic stents for the treatment of non-malignant esophago-pleural fistulas occurring after esophagectomy in one case and esophageal perforation post dilation in the other.