A Severely-Handicapped Child with a Tracheo-Innominate Artery Fistula; A Case Report

Abstract

A eight year-old male with early myoclonic epileptic encephalopathy underwent a tracheostomy to prevent aspiration pneumonia. Thirty-four months after the tracheostomy, a sudden, massive hemorrhage occured from the tracheostoma. A tracheo-innominate artery fistula was then diagnosed by CT scanning. The fistula was closed surgically, and the patient was rescued. Glottic closure surgery was also performed to prevent aspiration pneumonia. Based on our experience and a review of the literature, the type of canula and the insertion period of the canula did not seem to be associated with the occurrence of a fistura.