Improved palliation of a respiratory-esophageal fistula with a cuffed esophageal prosthesis.

We report a case in which a traditional prosthesis failed to seal a malignant respiratory-esophageal fistula. Removal of the prosthesis and replacement with a new type with an inflatable cuff provided palliation, and allowed the patient to leave the hospital. The cuffed prosthesis provides a custom fit which should seal fistulous tracts of any shape or size, without causing tissue necrosis.