title: Aorto-caval fistula after lumbo-sacral disk surgery.
abstract: A patient with an aorta-caval fistula after intervertebral disk surgery is presented. Deterioration of the condition of the patient, mainly due to a progressive congestive heart failure, was caused by a large aorto-caval fistula; emergency repair of the lesion led to complete recovery. Because of delay in diagnosis, this insidious complication generally causes serious cardiopulmonary disturbances with a high morbidity and a significant mortality. The surgical treatment consists of the reconstruction of the greater veins and arteries involved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: van Berge Henegouwen
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Koopman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van der Werken
mesh_terms: D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012447:Sacrum / Q000601:surgery; D014684:Venae Cavae