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

A fistula between the aorta and the digestive tract is a rare complication of gastrointestinal tract or vascular surgery. There are occasional reports of aortoesophageal fistula as a fatal complication after esophagectomy or esophageal stent implantation and of aortoenteric fistula (AEF) as a complication after aortic or other vascular procedures. However, AEF after gastrointestinal surgery is rare. We report a case of AEF after laparoscopic total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer, using the so-called overlap method of esophagojejunal anastomosis. The patient was a 77-year-old Japanese woman who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy and esophagojejunal anastomosis with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for advanced gastric cancer. Bacterial peritonitis was diagnosed 5 days after the operation, manifesting as partial necrosis and perforation of the small intestine. The patient was treated successfully with laparoscopic partial resection of the small intestine, but ultimately died of massive hematemesis caused by the AEF 30 days after her primary surgery.