Thoracoscopic treatment of esophagobronchial fistula with esophageal diverticulum

Thoracoscopic fistulectomy and diverticulectomy for esophagobronchial fistula with esophageal diverticulum were performed on a 49-year-old-woman. The neck of the diverticulum and the fistula were divided with endo-stapling technique. Intraoperative esophagoscopy was found to be useful for the definite localization and complete excision of the fistula and the diverticulum and the avoidance of stenosis of the esophagus. To avoid the recurrence of fistula, a pedicle of viable mediastinal pleura was interposed between esophageal and bronchial closures. Postoperative course was uneventful, and the complete relief of symptom was experienced for a period of 10 months after the operation. It is to be considered that the present thoracoscopic procedure with intraoperative esophagoscopy can be used as a standard operative procedure for esophagobronchial fistula with esophageal diverticulum.