Abstract

A tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a congenital or acquired communication between the trachea and esophagus. Acquired TEF is a rare but serious clinical entity. Here, we report the treatment of a patient with interventional lung assist (İLA) in the course of TEF -related hipercarbia and respiratory acidosis as a result of failure of protective ventilation strategy and his outcome after treatment. iLA contains a specially designed low resistance lung membrane, which uses the pressure difference between the arterial and venous circulation. This system enables the use of high airway pressures for oxygenation in combination with very low tidal volumes to avoid ventilator-induced lung injury and this gives time to patient for lung recovery.

Key words: Tracheoesophageal fistula, interventional lung assist, hypercapnia