Successful treatment of an aortoesophageal fistula after emergency endovascular thoracic aortic stent-graft placement

Ann Thorac Surg. 2005 Sep;80(3):1117-20. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.02.136.

Abstract

We report the case of a 57-year-old man who underwent emergency stent-graft placement in August 2003 due to a contained rupture of a distal descending aortic aneurysm. After 1 month the patient was readmitted with chest pain as well as swallowing disorders. A computed tomographic scan revealed a fistula between the distal esophagus and the excluded aneurysm sac. The patient was treated by an esophagectomy, a cervical esophagostomy, as well as a feeding gastrostomy. The infectious parietal thrombus was partially debrided and the aneurysm sac was filled with vancomycin. After 3 months continuity was reinstalled with a pedicled isoperistaltic transverse colonic conduit. The patient recovered uneventfully. At a 3 month follow-up, he showed no signs of infection. However, he is still being treated with antibiotic therapy of ciprofloxacin for a minimum of 1 year.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / surgery
  • Aortic Diseases / etiology*
  • Aortic Diseases / surgery*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects*
  • Esophageal Fistula / etiology*
  • Esophageal Fistula / surgery*
  • Esophagectomy
  • Gastrostomy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rupture, Spontaneous / surgery
  • Stents
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Fistula / etiology*
  • Vascular Fistula / surgery*