Fistula, fistula opening is a pathological opening through which the cavity of an organ is connected to the environment. The trachea is no exception. Under natural conditions, we encounter fistulous openings in the skin, but they close or heal. Infections cause a chronic fistula when a microbial pathogen enters the tissue surrounding the skin wound. As the tissue heals, the epidermis is replaced by granulation tissue. A recurrent fistula is a hole that is periodically filled and pumped out through a puncture or incision. This may be necessary to prevent excessive tension in the fascial areas. Periodic release of secretions through a pinhole in the walls of the organ may also occur, which is also called a fistulous tract. Chronic fistulas develop in various tissues of the body, including the respiratory tract, paranasal sinuses, tongue, alveolar space, between the jaw and bone. Oropharyngeal fistulas occur due to infection of a wound on the neck or facial area, lips, oral cavity or tongue; predominantly lead to disruption of the nutrition of the tissues of the head and neck, since the main vessels from the parenchyma of the thyroid gland and the structure of the visceral surface are affected.
Chronic tracheoesophageal fistula most often appears after a recurrent gastric ulcer, reflux disease, damage to the esophageal mucosa, due to tracheotomy. Even banal courses of antibiotics used for tracheobronchitis can provoke a complication in the form of a fistula. And of course, we should not forget about pulmonary tuberculosis, as well as injuries and diseases that cause vascular damage.