Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Resection of a Congenital Tracheobiliary Fistula in a Neonate: Technical Report and Review of the Literature

Congenital tracheobiliary or bronchobiliary fistulae are rare developmental malformations associated with high morbidity and mortality primarily because of concomitant anomalies as well as delays in diagnosis.We report a case of a neonate who presented with bilious emesis and progressive respiratory failure requiring bronchoscopy and fluoroscopic bronchography for diagnosis with successful management through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. We also review the published literature on tracheobiliary fistula.Use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for fistula resection has been reported in only one other neonate and provides a clinically less invasive option compared with open surgical ligation and resection. To our knowledge, this is the first English language report of thoracoscopic resection in a neonate with congenital tracheobiliary fistula.