Survival following aggressive treatment of secondary aortocolonic fistula.
Secondary aortocolonic fistula is an uncommon complication of prosthetic aortic grafts; apparently there have been only two previously described long-term survivors. We describe a long-term survivor with this complication in which preoperative computed tomographic scanning and percutaneous abscess drainage allowed early diagnosis and intervention and contributed to optimal treatment and survival. Adherence to time-honored principles of abscess drainage and graft removal, followed by extra-anatomic bypass when indicated, are essential to successful treatment.
D000038:Abscess / Q000628:therapy; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed