The authors describe the case of a benign trachooesophageal fistula treated by insertion of an oesophageal stent which was left in the oesophagus for 11 months. The fistula did not heal. Destruction of the oesophageal wall at the upper rim of the stent led to stenosis at that site. Another stenosis was found at the lower margin of the stent. Subsequently bronchooesophageal fistulae developed in both main bronchi. The condition had to be resolved by resection of the oesophagus and its replacemnt by the colon during a subsequent operation. The insertion and long-term deposition of the stent was the cause of all subsequent complications which threatened the patient’s life.

        Key words: tracheooesophageal fistula – oesophageal stent – resection of oesophagus