Successful management of an aortoesophageal fistula resulting from an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta with a covered stent.

Abstract

Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a relatively rare but life-threatening cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. There have been only a few survivors previously reported. There are controversies particularly regarding the treatment of the esophagus and postoperative infections. We report a case of an elderly man with an aortoesophageal fistula resulting from a thoracic aortic aneurysm. We managed the replacement of the aorta using a prosthetic graft, and an omentopexy for the fistula of the esophagus. For the treatment of leakage of the esophageal fistula, we successfully used a covered stent. This is the first report of the management of AEF using a covered stent.