Successful Surgical Closure of an Esophagobronchial Fistula Caused by a Foreign Body in the Esophagus of a Female Octogenarian with a Delayed Diagnosis: A Case Report

Esophagobronchial fistula (EBF) caused by an esophageal foreign body is rare in adults. All surgical interventions in the reported cases were performed via right thoracotomy. We have successfully treated an 88-year-old woman with EBF caused by a thick 2 x 2 cm piece of cake decorating paper that was swallowed accidentally. There was a 2-month interval between ingestion of the foreign body and correct diagnosis. The bronchial opening of the EBF was on the cephalic wall of the proximal left main bronchus (LMB), so we planned a primary repair of the bronchial wall with sutures via left thoracotomy. We performed a division of the fistula and primary closure of the openings on the esophageal and bronchial walls and covered the suture sites with an intercostal muscle flap and pericardial fat, respectively. The patient resumed oral intake on postoperative day 11 and was subsequently transferred to other hospital for rehabilitation.