An autopsy case of iatrogenic tracheoesophageal fistula secondary to tracheostomy.

Abstract

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is an uncommon but life-threatening sequel of prolonged use of a cuffed tracheostomy tube. We describe a patient who developed a TEF after a tracheostomy done for management of head injury due to a road traffic mishap. The patient subsequently died of sepsis after bilateral bronchopneumonia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first autopsy case of iatrogenic TEF after tracheal intubation reported in forensic literature.

• Authors: Ritesh G Menezes, Sadip Pant, Sampath Chandra Prasad, Jagadish Rao Padubidri, Prashanth Prabhu, Francis N P Monteiro, Tanuj Kanchan, Raghavendra Babu Yallapur Prahalad, Prashantha Bhagavath, Manjunath Sathyanarayan Achar, Savita Lasrado
• Journal: The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology (Am J Forensic Med Pathol) Vol. 35 Issue 2 Pg. 77-9 (Jun 2014) ISSN: 1533-404X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24781407 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Esophagus (pathology)
• Forensic Pathology
• Humans
• Iatrogenic Disease
• Male
• Sepsis (etiology)
• Trachea (pathology)
• Tracheoesophageal Fistula (etiology, pathology)
• Tracheostomy (adverse effects)