Young girl presenting with heart failure 5 years after laparoscopic appendectomy. Case report of an ilio-iliac AV fistula

Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2010 Jul;40(1):107-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2010.02.013. Epub 2010 Mar 26.

Abstract

Introduction: Secondary arteriovenous (AV) fistulae following appendectomy are very rare.

Report: We report the case of a 15-year-old girl suffering from progressive heart failure and sub-acute abdominal pain caused by an ilio-iliac AV fistula 5 years after a complicated appendectomy. The vessel-wall defects were closed by open surgery and the aneurysmatic iliac vein was gathered.

Discussion: Open fistula repair should be recommended to healthy and/or young patients, especially when they are not fully-grown. Endovascular treatment should be the therapy of choice in high-risk patients or patients with local contraindications against open surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Adolescent
  • Appendectomy / adverse effects*
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / diagnosis
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / etiology*
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / surgery
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Iliac Artery* / diagnostic imaging
  • Iliac Artery* / surgery
  • Iliac Vein* / diagnostic imaging
  • Iliac Vein* / surgery
  • Laparoscopy*
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Radiography
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures