Double hitch stitch is a novel technique for fixation of tracheal stent in a case of tracheoesophageal fistula: a case report

Caudal tracheal stent migration can be potentially life threatening by causing distal luminal obstruction. We present a rare double hitch stitch procedure (for prevention of migration of tracheal stent), which is an external fixation technique in a case of tracheoesophageal fistula with tracheal and esophageal self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS). A 50-year-old male patient who presented with cough and dyspnea was a known case of carcinoma of the esophagus with esophageal stent in situ. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal stent (esophageal SEMS) migrating into the trachea. Tracheal stenting was done with SEMS. Patient was followed up after 1 month with recurrent complaints of cough on deglutition. On follow-up bronchoscopy, migration of stent was observed. A rare procedure of double hitch stitch was performed with fixation of the tracheal stent (tracheal SEMS) using a percutaneous anchoring stitch, embedded in the subcutaneous tissue. Follow-up bronchoscopy after 1 month of the procedure showed no migration of stent. For the treatment of large tracheoesophageal fistula, stenting of both the trachea and the esophagus along with the double hitch stitch proved to be lifesaving. Stent migration prevention using “double hitch-stitch” is simple, safe, and successful, without any complications.