Background: Aorto-oesophageal fistula (AOF) are uncommon and exceedingly rare after corrosive ingestion. The authors report a case of AOF after corrosive ingestion that survived. A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify all cases of AOF after corrosive ingestion to determine the incidence of this condition, how it is best managed and what the outcomes are.
Case summary: A previously healthy 30-year-old male, presented with a corrosive oesophageal injury after drain cleaner ingestion. He did not require acute surgical resection, but developed long-segment oesophageal stricturing, which was initially managed with cautious dilatation and later stenting. An AOF was suspected at endoscopy performed two months after the ingestion, when the patient represented with massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The fistula was confirmed on computerised tomographic angiography. The initial bleeding at endoscopy was temporised by oesophageal stenting; a second stent was placed when bleeding recurred later the same day. The stenting successfully achieved temporary bleeding control, but resulted in sudden respiratory distress, which was found to be due to left main bronchus compression caused by the overlapping oesophageal stents. Definitive bleeding control was achieved by endovascular aortic stent-grafting. A retrosternal gastroplasty was subsequently performed to achieve gastrointestinal diversion to reduce the risk of stent-graft sepsis. He was subsequently successfully discharged and remains well one year post injury.
Conclusion: AOF after corrosive ingestion is exceedingly rare, with a very high mortality. Most occur weeks to months after the initial corrosive ingestion. Conservative management is ill-advised.
Keywords: Aorto-oesophageal fistula; Case report; Corrosive ingestion; Corrosive/caustic injury.
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