Gastroaortic fistula as an early complication of esophagectomy

Post-esophagectomy aortogastric-tube fistula treated successfully with TEVAR: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Aortogastric-tube fistula is a rare but fatal complication of esophagectomy, most commonly induced by anastomotic leakage and peptic ulcer formation.

METHODS

We report a rare case of a 55-year-old male patient presenting with an aortogastric-tube fistula located in the gastric conduit due to a recurrence of esophageal carcinoma.

RESULTS

The patient was treated successfully with Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) followed by esophageal stent placement to relieve dysphagia.

CONCLUSION

Although aortogastric-tube fistula is an extremely rare entity, the advent of esophageal cancer surgery, has led to the recognition of aortogastric-tube fistula with increasing frequency in the literature. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature, focusing on the pathophysiology, time interval between surgery and presentation, type of treatment and survival of reported cases with post-esophagectomy aortogastric-tube fistula.

Update on therapeutic strategy for esophageal anastomotic leak: A systematic literature review

Anastomotic leak is still a severe complication in esophageal surgery due to high mortality. This article reviews the updates on the treatment of anastomotic leak after esophagectomy in order to provide reference for clinical treatment and research. The relevant studies published in the Chinese Zhiwang, Wanfang, and MEDLINE databases to December 21, 2021 were retrieved, and esophageal carcinoma, esophagectomy, anastomotic leakage, and fistula selected as the keywords. A total of 78 studies were finally included. The treatments include traditional surgical drainage, new reverse drainage trans-fistula, stent plugging, endoscopic clamping, biological protein glue injection plugging, endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT), and reoperation, etc. Early diagnosis, accurate classification and optimal treatment can promote the rapid healing of anastomotic leaks. EVT may be the most valuable approach, simultaneously with good commercial prospects. Reoperation should be considered in patients with complex fistula in which conservative treatment is insufficient or has failed.

Three-stage approach for aortoesophageal fistula after Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy

Surgical management of post‐esophagojejunostomy aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) has been scarcely reported, but is universally fatal. This report described a case of AEF after total gastrectomy with Roux‐en‐Y esophagojejunostomy and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for gastric cardiac cancer. A three‐stage hybrid approach was used to successfully manage this complication. First, thoracic endovascular aortic repair curbed bleeding. Second, radical fistula resection eradicated infected areas and adjacent structures. Third, esophageal reconstruction using an ileocolonic conduit restored gastrointestinal continuity. This strategy could be safely feasible for managing post‐esophagojejunostomy AEF.

Prolonged survival of a patient with aortogastric fistula treated with combined surgery and endovascular stent placement: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Aortogastric tube fistula is a rare and fatal complication of esophagectomy. The treatment for aortogastric tube fistula with active infection is challenging, wherein a contamination around the fistula can cause a high risk of aneurysm and recurrence of bleeding, even if large amount of bleeding is controlled immediately.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We present a case of a 54-year-old male patient who underwent lower esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 22 years ago. He developed aortogastric tube fistula on postoperative day 46. The patient underwent two surgeries and stenting for aortogastric tube fistula and pseudoaneurysm between days 46 and 120 following the first surgery, and digestive reconstruction was performed 6 months after the first surgery. Computed tomography and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were performed periodically, and the postoperative course was uneventful for 22 years. However, the patient died from pneumonia at the age of 76 years. Autopsy findings revealed no recurrence of esophageal cancer, anastomotic complications, or stent issues. The fistula between the aorta and gastric tube was closed with a stent and connective tissue. Intrathoracic findings revealed that the cause of death was severe bilateral pneumonia.

DISCUSSION

Immediate hemodynamics stabilization and interval infection control enabled successful disease management.

CONCLUSION

Tenting for aneurysm was performed under aseptic conditions, and the patient did not experience recurrence of esophageal cancer and stent issues, which contributed to the long-term survival of 22 years.

Analysis of risk factors and classification of aortic fistula after esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Aortic fistula after esophagectomy is a rare and serious complication. The aims of this study were to describe the causes of and classify the fistulas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2008 and December 2017, a total of 1018 patients underwent esophageal resection, mainly for esophageal cancer; aortic fistula after esophagectomy was diagnosed in four patients. We perform a literature review through a database search for similar cases. Aortic fistulas may be classified into two types based on the site at which they occur in relation to the alimentary tract and area of anastomosis. Type 1 fistula occurs within the area of anastomosis, whereas type 2 fistula occurs above or below the anastomosis. The risk factors and clinical features associated with aortic fistulas are described, and comparison between the two types is made.

RESULTS

Through a literature search, 39 cases were identified, of which 26 cases were classified as type 1, and 13 cases were classified as type 2. Of 13 patients (33.3%) who underwent emergent intervention, seven patients survived. Approximately 76.9% of aortic fistula were related to anastomotic fistula, which was more prevalent in type 1 aortic fistula than in type 2 (92% versus 50%, P = 0.005). There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, side of thoracotomy, type of anastomosis, the postoperative day the hemorrhage occurred, warning hemorrhage, chest pain, or the outcome between the two types of fistula.

CONCLUSIONS

Anastomotic fistula is the primary cause of type 1 aortic fistula after esophagectomy, and early diagnosis and intervention of aortic fistula can improve prognosis. This classification may be a useful guide in determining the approach for second-stage alimentary tract reconstruction.

Primary Aortoenteric Fistula after Nissen Fundoplication

We present the rare case of a primary gastro-aortic fistula involving the native aorta and proximal stomach in a patient with a chronic gastric ulcer and prior history of Nissen fundoplication. Our case highlights the importance of keeping this rare and fatal condition as a differential diagnosis in patients with prior history of Nissen fundoplication surgery.

Recent improvements in the management of esophageal anastomotic leak after surgery for cancer

Anastomotic leakage following total gastrectomy or esophagectomy is a significant complication that considerably increases postoperative mortality. The location of the anastomosis together with the anatomy of the esophagus explains the severity of this complication. Surgical knowledge should include general and specific predictive factors of leakage to avoid any technical-related cause of leakage. Clinical presentations may vary from minimally symptomatic to life-threatening situations. Investigations should be undertaken as soon as the diagnosis is suspected because delay greatly worsens the prognosis. CT scans with oral contrast and low insufflation early endoscopy are the preferred diagnostic tools and can also aid in therapeutic procedures. Communication and multidisciplinary teamwork are the cornerstones of treatment. When the leak occurs early with acute and important sepsis, the recommendation is surgical treatment. On the contrary, if the leak is late, non-symptomatic or minimally symptomatic, conservative management with intensive surveillance could be proposed. When the situation is in between these two extremes, endoscopic treatment is often proposed. Based on a review of the literature and experience from high volume centers, in this educational review, we present the incidence, predictive factors, clinical presentations, diagnostic tools, management, and therapeutic algorithms for anastomotic leaks following elective esophagectomy and total gastrectomy for cancer.

Sentinel bleeding as a sign of gastroaortic fistula formation after oesophageal surgery

Gastroaortic fistula formation is a very rare complication following oesophageal resection and, in most cases, leads to sudden death. We report the case of a 65-year-old male with an adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by a minimally invasive transthoracic oesophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction and intrathoracic anastomosis. After an uneventful postoperative course and hospital discharge, the patient reported blood regurgitation on postoperative day 23. Endoscopy revealed an adherent blood clot on the oesophageal wall, which after dislocation caused exsanguination. Autopsy determined the cause of death being massive haemorrhage due to a gastroaortic fistula. The sudden onset of haemorrhage makes this condition particularly difficult to treat. Recognition of warning signs such as thoracic or epigastric pain, regurgitation of blood, or the passing of bloody stools or melena is crucial in the early detection of fistula and may improve patient outcome.

Aortic fistula after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma: an unusual cause of sudden death

Aortic fistula to the enteric tract is an uncommon but recognized complication of esophagectomy, whereas an aortorespiratory fistula is usually described in the setting of aortic disease or previous aortic surgery. We describe 2 cases of fatal aortic fistula occurring after esophagectomy and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, both encountered at autopsy.The first case is an aortobronchial fistula occurring in a 47-year-old male in the early postoperative setting. Death was caused by rupture of the fistula into the posterior mediastinum with transhiatal extension and hemoperitoneum. The tissue adjacent to the fistula showed radiation effect, and an esophageal stent had been placed before surgery. The second case is an aortogastric tube fistula occurring in a 50-year-old male 2 years after surgery and resulting in fatal gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The fistula involved the site of anastomosis and a surgical clip was present in the adjacent soft tissue.The development of aortic fistula after esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma is rare, but should be considered at autopsy as a potential cause of unexpected, sudden death in these patients. Possible inciting mechanisms in this setting include the presence of foreign material (stent placement and surgical clips) and previous chemoradiation.

Aorto-conduit fistula developing four years after esophagectomy

A 71 year old lady was treated for a squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by a two phase Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy with two field lymphadenectomy. She presented four years later with life threatening bleeding from a fistula between the thoracic aorta and the gastric conduit, which was treated successfully with a thoracic aortic stent.

Risk of stent-related aortic erosion after endoscopic stent insertion for intrathoracic anastomotic leaks after esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Intrathoracic anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Because of disappointing results after surgical reexploration endoscopic stent implantation was introduced as primary treatment option with improved outcome. Aortoesophageal fistula is a very rare complication and has thus far only anecdotally been reported after esophagectomy. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate if endoscopic stent implantation increases the incidence of postoperative aortoesophageal fistula by reason of stent-related erosion of the thoracic aorta.

METHODS

Between January 2004 and October 2010, 213 patients underwent esophageal resection mainly for esophageal cancer. An intrathoracic esophageal anastomotic leak was endoscopically verified in 25 patients. Seventeen patients received endoscopic implantation of a self-expanding stent as primary treatment. In 8 patients a rethoracotomy was mandatory.

RESULTS

After successfully accomplished endoscopic stent placement, complete closure of the anastomotic leak was radiologically proven in all 17 patients. In 13 cases, definitive closure and healing of the leak was achieved and the stent could subsequently be removed. In 1 patient, because of early recurrence of very malignant small cell cancer, the stent remained in situ. Three patients developed an erosion of the thoracic aorta with subsequent massive hemorrhage. The mean time between stent insertion and occurrence of aortoesophageal fistula was 26 days. All 3 patients died of exsanguination with severe hypovolemic shock. Postmortem examination confirmed an aortoesophageal fistula in each case.

CONCLUSIONS

While endoscopic stent implantation seems to be effective in the control of intrathoracic anastomotic leakage, nevertheless the incidence of aortoesophageal fistula caused by stent-related aortic erosion exceeds the thus far reported numbers. Awareness of this life-threatening complication after stent insertion is therefore mandatory.

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

A patient is presented with massive hematemesis caused by a fistula between the left cardiac atrium and a gastric tube interposition, which was constructed after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer 3 years earlier.

Gastric tube-to-pleural fistula seventeen months after esophagectomy: successful endoscopic treatment of an unusual complication

A gastric tube-to-pleural fistula is an uncommon late complication of esophagectomy. In this report, a 71-year-old man who developed gastric tube-to-pleural fistula 17 months after esophagectomy with intrathoracic reconstruction using a gastric tube is presented. Chest radiograph on admission showed massive right pleural effusion, which demonstrated empyema on chest drainage. Further imaging studies confirmed a gastric tube-to-pleural fistula that had no connection to the airway. We chose endoscopic intervention as a less invasive procedure and successfully treated the patient by plugging fibrin glue into the fistula under endoscopy. Review of the literature and discussion of the clinical features, differential causes, and treatment options of this rare and severe condition are presented.

Successful Surgical Treatment of Aortoesophageal Fistula After Esophagectomy

We report a 65-year-old man with complications of aortoesophageal fistula after esophagectomy. A combined middle-lower esophagectomy with remnant gastrectomy was performed for esophageal cancer. The alimentary tract was restored by intrathoracic esophagojejunal anastomosis using a surgical stapler. Twenty-four days later the patient suddenly had hypovolemic shock develop due to aortoesophageal fistula. We performed emergency surgery, and the aortic fistula was directly closed with a 3-0 monofilament using abdominal fascia as a pledget. Thirty-eight days later, alimentary reconstruction was performed using a free jejunal graft. Aortic pseudoaneurysm due to direct closure was predictably detected, and transluminal endovascular stent grafting was indicated.