Aortoesophageal fistula following TEVAR: Celerity of a multidisciplinary approach and its prognostic implications

INTRODUCTION: Secondary Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but serious complication following thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR), which may lead to fatal outcomes. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 62-year-old patient developing a secondary AEF one-month after TEVAR. The patient was managed in a staged approach: first, an oesophagus defunctionalisation by cervical oesophagus stapling, followed by drainage gastrostomy and creation of a feeding jejunostomy. Two-weeks later, the patient underwent stent graft explantation, extensive debridement, in situ aortic reconstruction with interposition of a silver and Triclosan impregnated Dacron graft, esophagectomy, eosophagogastrostomy and intercostal muscle flap plasty. After 4 years of follow-up, the patient remains clinically well and free from recurrence. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of AEF requires a high index of suspicion. A prompt and aggressive multidisciplinary approach is necessary to obtain long-term survival and freedom from recurrence.