Endovascular repair of an actively hemorrhaging aortoduodenal fistula

Abstract

Aortoenteric fistulae require urgent definitive intervention and traditionally carry a high mortality. We describe a patient who suffered a traumatic aortic dissection following an auto versus pedestrian collision. He underwent open fenestration of his infrarenal aorta and visceral resection, complicated by abdominal sepsis and enterocutaneous fistulae. One month later he developed massive hematemesis, and endoscopic examination revealed an aortoduodenal fistula. Due to an impassable abdominal wall, a stent-graft repair was performed. This report describes the successful use of endovascular techniques to achieve immediate hemostasis in an actively hemorrhaging aortoduodenal fistula. An endovascular approach provides a valuable option in settings where a hostile abdomen precludes the traditional open technique and may serve as a bridge to later definitive repair.