Work

Aortoenteric Fistula: An Uncommon but Life-Threatening Complication of Pledget Use in Hiatal Hernia Repair

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The standard treatment for hiatal hernia repair and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, in which a Teflon pledget (TP) is used to buttress the hiatal hernia. We present an extremely rare case in which a 74-year-old female developed a postoperative aortoenteric fistula due to erosion of a TP used during paraesophageal hernia repair. A computed tomography (CT) angiogram and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) confirmed the diagnosis. Subsequently, a thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed to treat the aortoenteric fistula, and the TP was removed using a raptor grasping device and scissors during a repeat EGD at a tertiary care center. In this article, we discuss different causes of TP erosion and possible countermeasures that may help prevent such complications.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.81432

Authors: Jeet H Patel, Parag Brahmbhatt, Kalpit Devani, Jena Velji-Ibrahim

Institutions: Medical University of Silesia, Prisma Health, University of South Carolina

Language: English

Topic: Infectious Aortic and Vascular Conditions

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4408962739

FWCI:

Cites: 10

Cited by:

Related to: 10