Surgical Management of Aortoenteric Erosion Due to Pulsatile Stress After Aneurysm Repair: A Case Report.

Abstract

Secondary aortoenteric fistula or erosion (SAEFE), an abnormal connection between the aorta and gastrointestinal tract, is a rare but critical complication after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Most SAEFEs occur between the aorta or proximal graft anastomosis and the duodenum, and occurrence between the iliac graft and small intestine is rare. Standard SAEFE management involves graft removal and extra-anatomical bypass. However, this is extremely invasive and has a high mortality rate. We encountered a rare case of SAEFE with no sign of infection, which was successfully treated by ligating the iliac graft to reduce mechanical pulsatile stress and bleeding following the retroperitoneal approach.