Tracheoesophageal fistula after blunt chest trauma.

Tracheoesophageal fistula is a very rare but potentially life-threatening complication of blunt chest trauma. Prior reviews have revealed that the victims were all young men involved in deceleration or crush injuries. Of those involved in motor vehicle accidents, most were thrown against the steering wheel. Herein, we review the world literature on this injury and include our own report of 1 of the few cases of traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula involving a female victim. In this case, the victim was an unrestrained driver thrown against an air bag.