title: Aorto-enteric fistula is a serious complication to aortic surgery. Modern trends in diagnosis and therapy.
abstract: Secondary aorto-enteric fistula (AEF) is a serious, but rare, complication following surgery of the abdominal aorta. AEF occurs in 0.3-2%, but is associated with a hospital mortality between 25-90%. It is also associated with an important morbidity with a lower limb amputation rate of 9%, and a 15% risk for renewed graft infection. Nine secondary AEF were surgically treated. The hospital mortality was high,44% (4/9). Recurrent AEF was observed in 1 patient 2 years after the first operation. During follow-up 2 patients had mild infections which were resolved by antibiotic treatment. Diagnostic modalities, and recent advancements in surgical treatment as well as preventive measures are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, 24 rue Micheli-du-Crest, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sierra
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalangos
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faidutti
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Christenson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D013537:Sutures