Aortoenteric fistula at the site of esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic total gastrectomy: report of a case

Aortoesophageal fistula: review of trends in the last decade

We reviewed articles on aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) published between January, 2009 and December, 2018. Postoperative aortic disease was the most common cause of AEF, followed by primary aortic aneurysm, bone ingestion, and thoracic cancer. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was the most common initial therapy for primary aortic disease, rather than graft replacement. Secondary AEF developed between 1 and 268 months, and between 1 and 11 months after the initial therapy for aortic disease and thoracic cancer, respectively. TEVAR trended to be preferred over surgery for aortic lesions because of its minimal invasiveness and certified hemostasis. In contrast, esophagectomy was preferred for esophageal lesions to remove the infectious source. A combination of surgery for the aorta (TEVAR, graft replacement or repair) and esophagus (esophagectomy, esophageal stent or repair) was usually adopted. Each graft replacement or esophagectomy was associated with a favorable prognosis for aortic or esophageal surgery, and the combination of graft replacement and esophagectomy generally improved the prognosis remarkably. Antibiotic therapy was given to 65 patients, with 20 receiving multiple antibiotics aimed at strong effects and the type of antibiotic described as broad-spectrum in 29 patients. Meropenem, vancomycin, and fluconazole were the most popular antibiotics used to prevent graft or stent infection. In conclusion, graft replacement and esophagectomy can achieve a favorable prognosis for patients with AEF, but strong, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy might be required to prevent sepsis after surgery.

Treatment experience of delayed massive gastrointestinal bleeding caused by intra-abdominal arteriointestinal fistula in gastric cancer patients after radical gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Arteriointestinal fistula is a very rare but lethal postoperative complication in GC patients after gastrectomy. However, very few reports associated with arteriointestinal fistula have been published, and there is no matured diagnosis and treatment consensus for arteriointestinal fistula. Herein, we will investigate the etiology, clinical feature, diagnostic method, treatment, and prognosis by summarizing two patients we treated and consulting related cases reported in recent years.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 61-year-old male and 75-year-old female with advanced gastric cancer of gastric antrum underwent radical distal gastrectomy and D2 regional lymphadenectomy. Residual gastrojejunostomies by the Roux-en-Y method were performed. The two patients recovered well after gastrectomy, and they received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. However, both of them suffered sudden hematemesis and melena about 2 months after surgery, resulting in unstable vital signs. Emergency exploratory laparotomy and interventional embolotherapy by digital subtraction angiography were immediately respectively performed. During this process, arteriointestinal fistulas were found in both of them. Pseudoaneurysms of gastroduodenal artery and common hepatic artery were respectively ruptured and bleeding into the duodenum. Finally, the male patient recovered, while the female patient died because of rebleeding and hemorrhagic shock.

CONCLUSIONS

Arteriointestinal fistula, with low morbidity but high mortality, is an acute and fatal postoperative complication for GC patients after radical gastrectomy. DSA is the preferred method to diagnose arteriointestinal fistula. Embolotherapy by DSA should be performed immediately once arteriointestinal fistula is confirmed. Emergency laparotomy is another selection if the embolotherapy failed. We should pay more attention to perioperative preventive measures for formation of pseudoaneurysm, which is the leading cause of arteriointestinal fistula.

Aortoenteric fistula following overlap esophagojejunal anastomosis using linear staplers for cancer of the esophagogastric junction: a case report

Background

Aortoenteric fistula (AEF), occasionally reported as a fatal complication after aortic or other vascular procedures, is a communication between the aorta and the digestive tract. AEF as a fatal complication of overlap esophagojejunostomy after esophagogastrectomy has not been reported previously. Herein, we report a case of AEF after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and transhiatal lower esophagectomy for cancer of the esophagogastric junction, in which linear staplers were used for overlap esophagojejunostomy.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old woman with advanced cancer of the esophagogastric junction underwent laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and transhiatal lower esophagectomy with abdominal and lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Double tract reconstruction by the overlap method was performed. The patient was discharged from the hospital 10 days after surgery with a good postoperative course. However, she developed sudden-onset massive hematemesis and melena the day after discharge, resulting in death. Autopsy revealed that the stapled edge of the entry hole of the overlap esophagojejunostomy was in direct contact with the descending aorta. AEF was found at the esophagojejunostomy site.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first report of AEF as a fatal complication of overlap esophagojejunostomy after esophagogastrectomy. Although we could not definitively identify the cause of the AEF, it could be attributed to direct contact between the stapled edge and the bare thoracic aorta over a period of 10 days. To avoid direct contact with the aorta in esophagojejunostomy with linear staplers, all stapled edges should be covered by suturing and attention should be paid to the position of these edges.

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.

Feasibility of Laparoscopic Radical Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer of Clinical Stage II or Higher: Early Outcomes in a Phase II Study (KUGC04)

PURPOSE

A phase II study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for gastric cancer of clinical stage II or higher.

METHODS

The eligibility criteria were gastric cancer of clinical stage II or higher that was amenable to potentially curative resection. Patients with prior chemotherapy, tumors requiring total gastrectomy (TG), tumors that invaded adjacent organs, and patients with bulky lymph node metastasis were included. The primary endpoint was incidence of postoperative complications of grade II or higher in the Clavien-Dindo classification. The sample size was determined to be 73, based on an expected rate of complications of 19 % and a threshold of 30 %. Gastrectomy was performed by expert surgeons who were certified by the Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 73 patients were enrolled; 54 patients (74 %) had clinical T stage T4a/T4b, and 47 patients (64 %) were administered preoperative chemotherapy. The type of surgery was distal gastrectomy in 41 patients and TG in 31 patients. Dissection of D2 or more was performed in 62 patients (85 %). Of the 25 patients who underwent D2/D2+ TG, 15 underwent splenectomy or pancreaticosplenectomy. R0 resection was performed in 64 patients (88 %). The median number of resected lymph nodes was 56, and postoperative complications occurred in 15 patients (20.5 %), which was significantly lower than the threshold value (p = 0.039). One in-hospital death occurred (1.4 %).

CONCLUSION

LG for gastric cancer of clinical stage II or higher can be safely performed by experienced surgeons.