Successful surgical treatment of aortoesophageal fistula after esophagectomy.

Abstract

We report a 65-year-old man with complications of aortoesophageal fistula after esophagectomy. A combined middle-lower esophagectomy with remnant gastrectomy was performed for esophageal cancer. The alimentary tract was restored by intrathoracic esophagojejunal anastomosis using a surgical stapler. Twenty-four days later the patient suddenly had hypovolemic shock develop due to aortoesophageal fistula. We performed emergency surgery, and the aortic fistula was directly closed with a 3-0 monofilament using abdominal fascia as a pledget. Thirty-eight days later, alimentary reconstruction was performed using a free jejunal graft. Aortic pseudoaneurysm due to direct closure was predictably detected, and transluminal endovascular stent grafting was indicated.