Gastroaortic fistula as an early complication of esophagectomy

Aorto-conduit fistula developing four years after esophagectomy

“…Eighty two percent (82%) of cases reported presented between the second and sixth weeks postoperatively (1). The longest duration between oesophagectomy and presentation of bleed previously reported was fourteen months (1). …”

“…Signs of gastro-intestinal bleeding in oesophagectomy patients should raise the suspicion of an aorto-conduit fistula. The latent period between herald bleed and exsanguination has an average duration of ten hours (1). …”

“…Reported cases have occurred early post operatively, with a mean post-operative day of presentation of 46 in a review of 23 cases. The majority of these patients presented with a herald bleed (93%) (1). …”

A cardiogastric fistula after gastric tube interposition. A case report and review of literature

“…An esophageal-atrial or esophageal-ventricular fistula should be suspected when massive gastro-intestinal bleeding is present, as in the presented patient. Hematemesis can also be caused by perforation of an ulcer into the aorta or a pulmonary artery [22,24]. Other possible manifestations of esophageal-cardiac fistula are cerebral or pulmonary emboli and cardiac arrhythmias [8].…”

Aortoesophageal Fistula – Rare Complication after Esophagogastrectomy, due to Cancer

“…Most patients after upper gastrointestinal pathology surgery complicated by aortoesophageal fistula development, die during the course of hemorrhagic shock. In approximately 60% of cases aortoesophageal fistulas occurred between the 9-th and 21-st day after surgery, and in 82% between the 2-nd and 6-th week (8).…”