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Tracheo-innominate artery fistula: a rare complication in a laryngectomized patient

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

Produl Hazarika
Affiliation:
Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka State, India.
Ganesh Kamath
Affiliation:
Department of Cardio Thoracic Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka State, India.
R. Balakrishnan
Affiliation:
Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka State, India.
Raj Girish
Affiliation:
Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka State, India.
Kundaje Harish G.
Affiliation:
Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka State, India.

Abstract

A tracheo-innominate artery fistula is an uncommon but frequently fatal complication of tracheostomy. Rarely, it can also occur in laryngectomized patients. We report a post-laryngectomy, post-radiotherapy patient using a metal tracheostomy tube, who developed a tracheo-innominate artery fistula about two months after radiotherapy. To our knowledge this is only the second reported case in a laryngectomized patient. The computed tomography (CT) angiography findings helped confirm the diagnosis and the patient was successfully managed by surgical exploration and ligation of the innominate artery. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from a tracheal swab. The clinical features, CT angiography findings, management protocols and possible aetiological factors are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Royal Society of Medicine Press Limited 2002

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