@article{article_1572393, title={A Fatal Complication in Intensive Care Units: Tracheoesophageal Fistula}, journal={Hitit Medical Journal}, volume={7}, pages={181–187}, year={2025}, DOI={10.52827/hititmedj.1572393}, author={Şahin, Fatih and Kocayigit, Havva}, keywords={Mekanik ventilasyon, trakea-özofageal fistül, trakeostomi, oğun bakım ünitesi}, abstract={Objective: Tracheoesophageal fistula is an abnormal connection between the posterior wall of the trachea and the anterior wall of the adjacent esophagus. Its etiology includes trauma related to endotracheal cuff, damage to the posterior wall during tracheostomy procedure, poor health status, respiratory infections, and steroid treatments. This study aims to investigate the demographic characteristics of patients with tracheoesophageal fistula, the timing of tracheostomy, duration of intubation, and the characteristics of microorganisms isolated from these patients. Material and Method: The study included patients who developed tracheoesophageal fistula while receiving mechanical ventilation through orotracheal intubation or tracheostomy in the intensive care unit. Data collected included age, sex, reason for intensive care unit admission, day of tracheoesophageal fistula occurrence, tracheostomy status, mortality, medication usage, and microorganisms isolated from tracheal aspirate cultures. Results: Thirty patients were included. The mean duration of mechanical ventilation before tracheoesophageal fistula development was 41.3 days, with 27 patients (90%) having tracheostomies. The average day of tracheostomy application was 21.7 days. The mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 68.5 days, and the average intensive care unit stay was 71.2 days. Of 65 deep tracheal aspirate cultures samples, 24 patients (80%) exhibited growth, predominantly Klebsiella pneumoniae (26.1%). Mortality occurred in 86.7% of patients, while 13.3% were discharged in healty. Conclusion: In conclusion, tracheoesophageal fistula, which can be observed in intensive care units, is a highly mortal complication. The majority of these patients exhibited prolonged mechanical ventilation, microorganism growth in tracheal aspirate cultures, steroid use, hypoalbuminemia, use of neuromuscular agents, and high SAPS III and APACHE II scores.}, number={2}, publisher={Hitit Üniversitesi}, organization={yok}