Foreign body--induced aorto-oesophageal fistula: a review of five cases and their management

LC Cheng, CSW Chiu
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Grantham Hospital, Aberdeen, Hong Kong

Foreign body–induced aorto-oesophageal fistula is a rare cause of massive upper gastro-intestinal bleeding and, in the absence of a timely diagnosis and surgical intervention, can be fatal. During a period of 25 years, five patients with foreign body–induced aorto-oesophageal fistula underwent surgery in our department. Three patients survived. All survivors required more than one surgical intervention. The clinical course of these five patients and the management of this potentially fatal condition are reviewed.

Hong Kong Med J 2006;12:219-21

Key words: Aortic diseases; Esophageal fistula; Foreign bodies; Hematemesis