title: Secondary aortoesophageal fistula after endoluminal exclusion because of thoracic aortic transection.
abstract: Secondary aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but catastrophic complication that occurs after thoracic aortic reconstruction. Recently endoluminal stent grafts have been used in selected patients with a thoracic aortic aneurysm, dissection, or traumatic aortic transection. A 24-year-old woman had massive upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding 15 months after endoluminal stent graft placement because of traumatic descending thoracic aortic transection. Evaluation demonstrated an AEF from the mid-esophagus to the endoluminal stent graft. The endoluminal graft was explanted, with primary repair of the thoracic aortic defect and simultaneous primary repair of the esophageal injury. The patient is well 15 months after open repair of the AEF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, 66160, USA. khance@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Kirk A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hance
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eskew
authors.forename: Arlo S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Hermreck
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000009:adverse effects; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000293:injuries*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006396:Hematemesis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery