Tracheo-innominate artery fistula after terminal or mural tracheostomy; Arterial balloon catheter used to stop innominate arterial blood flow

Abstract

A 42 year-old woman underwent terminal or mural tracheostomy for adenoid cystic carcinoma of trachea in October 1982. She had used tracheal tube for stenosis of the orifice since then. In August 1988, massive bleeding occured through the tracheal tube which was controlled by cuff inflation. She was diagnosed as tracheo-innominate artery fistula by arteriography of innominate artery. For purpose of decrease of risk of massive bleeding during operation, we used arterial balloon catheter to stop innominate arterial blood flow. Although recurrence of adenoid cystic carcinoma prevented perfect control of bleeding, we could get good operative field in the greater part of operation by stopping innominate arterial blood flow with arterial balloon catheter. Using arterial balloon catheter to stop innominate arterial blood flow is useful in operation of tracheo-innominate artery fistula.