Chinese expert consensus on interventional diagnosis and management of acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas (second edition)

Acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas occur with abnormal communication between the respiratory tract and digestive tract caused by a variety of benign or malignant diseases, leading to the alimentary canal contents in the respiratory tract. Although various departments have been actively exploring advanced fistula closure techniques, including surgical methods and multimodal therapy, some of which have gotten good clinical effects, there are few large-scale evidence-based medical data to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment. The guidelines update the etiology, classification, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas. It has been proved that the implantation of the respiratory and digestive stent is the most important and best treatment for acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas. The guidelines conduct an in-depth review of the current evidence and introduce in detail the selection of stents, implantation methods, postoperative management and efficacy evaluation.

Automated summary

Acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas are abnormal communication between the respiratory tract and digestive tract caused by various benign or malignant diseases, which result in the presence of alimentary canal contents in the respiratory tract. Although advanced closure techniques have been explored, there is a lack of large-scale evidence-based medical data to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment. The guidelines update the understanding of the disease and introduce respiratory and digestive stent implantation as the most important and effective treatment. The guidelines also provide a detailed review of current evidence and recommendations for stent selection, implantation methods, postoperative management, and efficacy evaluation.