Diagnostic and therapeutic problems of aorto-enteric fistulas caused by aortic prostheses. 5 surgical cases of which 4 were successful
Sondag, D.; Dalcher, G.; Sengler, C.; Allimant, P.; Morel, E.; Real, P.; Zeyer, B.
Annales de Gastroenterologie et d'Hepatologie 27(4): 157-162
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0066-2070 PMID: 1929196 Document Number: 372455
The clinical characteristics, surgical treatment and therapeutic results, were surveyed in 5 cases of aorto-enteric fistulas observed in 650 abdominal aortic reconstructive operations in ten years. The fistula concerned the duodenum in two cases, the jejunum in one and the ileum in two cases. Two patients were treated by removal of the prosthesis and an axillofemoral bypass, one by an axillofemoral shunt only and the two others by repair of the graft. One patient died a few days after the operation, another eighteen months later. The prognosis of aorto-enteric fistulas after aortic reconstructive surgery is often bleak. It should be improved by an early diagnosis, supported by anamnestic history and an upper endoscopy. An aggressive surgery, whose modalities are discussed, gives maximum chances of success.