What does esophageal fistula mean?

An esophageal fistula is an abnormal passage or connection between the esophagus and other organs or tissues.

Usually, the esophagus is a tube that connects the throat and stomach and is responsible for transporting food from the mouth to the stomach for digestion. However, esophageal fistulas occur when the esophagus forms pathological passages with other structures. Esophageal fistulas can be divided into two types: congenital and acquired. Congenital esophageal fistulas are abnormal connections that exist at birth and are usually formed by abnormalities during fetal development. Acquired esophageal fistulas occur after birth and are usually caused by trauma, surgery, inflammation, or other pathological factors. Patients may experience symptoms such as cough, dysphagia, chest pain, and hematemesis.