Anyone have tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal dilation?

Posted by daniellemay @daniellemay, Nov 21 3:31pm

Has anyone ever had a fistula accidentally created while having their esophagus dilated? A tracheoesophageal fistula? If so was it able to heal on its own? Did you have surgery? A stent was placed for 6 weeks and was not tolerable due to pain. Once removed was told could eat and drink again just to find on a video swallow study the fistula was still there and food, water, and saliva were being aspirated into the lungs. Just curious if anyone else has had experience with this and if so what options may I have? I understand the jtube is lifesaving but for quality of life to improve I would love to eat or even drink liquids again.

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mrgvw | @mrgvw | Nov 22 3:54pm

Fistulas are serious... and fixing them is not always easy or doable by your current thoracic surgeon or GI doctor (although if you are actually being treated at a Mayo location, they should know what to do).

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 3 days ago

@daniellemay, I thought I would check in. How are you doing? Has surgery been recommended to correct the tracheoesophageal fistula? Have you considered consulting with a speech and language pathologist to help with swallowing?

daniellemay | @daniellemay | 3 days ago

You are so sweet to reach out. A video swallow study is now scheduled for late December and potentially an EGD after that but no talk if this can be corrected.