Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39996192›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Robotic-Assisted Thoracoscopic Repair of Chronic Bronchoesophageal Fistula Using Omental Flap Interposition: A Case Report.

Emily M Su, Justin Smith, Logan T Mellert, Maureen E Cheung

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Emily M SuGeneral Surgery, Summa Health, Akron, USA.
Justin SmithGeneral Surgery, Summa Health, Akron, USA.
Logan T MellertBariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Summa Health, Akron, USA.
Maureen E CheungCardiothoracic Surgery, Summa Health, Akron, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Bronchoesophageal fistulas (BEFs) are rare and challenging conditions caused by congenital or acquired factors, often requiring innovative surgical solutions. This report describes the successful management of a chronic, postsurgical BEF in a 44-year-old male using a combination of robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and laparoscopic omental flap interposition. The patient's complex history of failed esophageal stenting and dense pleural adhesions highlighted the need for a minimally invasive yet precise approach. Preoperative optimization, intraoperative technical considerations, and the use of the da Vinci Xi robotic system facilitated successful fistula closure and omental flap placement. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with no recurrence at follow-up. This case highlights the value of robotic-assisted thoracoscopy and omental flap interposition in managing challenging BEFs, offering a promising alternative to traditional thoracic muscle flaps. This novel application demonstrates the potential to enhance surgical precision, minimize morbidity, and improve patient outcomes for complex fistulas.

Indexed as

bronchoesophageal fistulaminimally invasive surgeryomental flaprobotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgerythoracoscopy

Identifiers

PMID39996192
PMCPMC11849754

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.