Gastropericardial Fistula as a Late Complication after Esophagectomy with Esophagogastrostomy: A case report.
- Author:
Tae Gyun KIM
1
;
Jung Ho KANG
;
Won Sang CHUNG
;
Young Hak KIM
;
Hyuck KIM
;
Heng Ok JEE
;
Chul Bum LEE
;
Shi Young HAM
;
Seok Chol JEON
Author Information
1. Department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, College of medicine, Hanyang University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Gastric fistula;
Peptic ulcer;
Complication;
Esophagogastrostomy
- MeSH:
Chest Pain;
Chills;
Cough;
Diagnosis;
Dyspnea;
Echocardiography;
Electrocardiography;
Emergencies;
Emergency Service, Hospital;
Esophageal Neoplasms;
Esophagectomy*;
Fever;
Fistula*;
Gastric Fistula;
Humans;
Middle Aged;
Peptic Ulcer;
Peptic Ulcer Perforation;
Pericardial Effusion;
Pericardium;
Physical Examination;
Pneumopericardium;
Radiography;
Radiotherapy;
Stomach;
Thorax
- From:The Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
2002;35(3):248-250
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
A 56 year-old man complaining of dry cough, dyspnea, chest pain, fever, and chills was admitted to the emergency room. The patient had a history of esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy and subsequent radiotherapy because of an esophageal cancer. After the emergency echocardiography revealed a small amount of pericardial effusion and pneumopericardium. Upper GI contrast study showed a fistulous tract between the stomach and the pericardium, and an emergency operation was done under the diagnosis of gastropericardial fistula. The patient expired postoperative seven days later. Gastropericardial fistula caused by a peptic ulcer perforation after the esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy operation is a very rare complication and brings forth a disastrous result. Early detection using the chest radiography, electrocardiogram, upper GI study, echocardiography and a review of physical examination, and an immediate treatment are therefore mandatory.
