Successful treatment of gastropulmonary fistula in a patient with gastric diverticulum: A case report
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: RATIONALE: Gastropulmonary fistula (GPF) is defined as a communication pathway between the stomach and the lung. GPF is a rare condition, and there is no consensus regarding its treatment. GPF has been reported in only a small number of cases. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 61-year-old male patient visited the emergency room due to abdominal pain and concurrent hematemesis that started 2 days prior. The patient reported a history of frequent vomiting attributed to chronic alcoholism and gastric ulcer-related bleeding. Multiple gastric ulceration and gastric diverticulum were diagnosed at that time. DIAGNOSES: GPF was diagnosed by a noncontrast-enhanced chest computed tomography scan after swallowing an oral contrast agent. INTERVENTIONS: GPF was treated with surgical intervention. A left lower lobectomy was performed through a posterolateral thoracotomy at the left 6th intercostal space. The 2.5 cm diaphragmatic opening was closed using a pledgeted 2-0 Prolene suture. In the abdomen, a partial gastrectomy was performed via an upper median laparotomy. OUTCOMES: Successful surgical management of a PGF. Postoperative pneumonia developed on postoperative day (POD) 3, prompting a change in antibiotics. On POD20, an abdominal wound infection occurred, for which a vacuum-assisted closure system was applied. The patient began oral intake on POD33 and was discharged on POD56 after the removal of the tracheostomy tube. LESSONS: This case demonstrates that surgical intervention should be considered the primary treatment option when managing a patient diagnosed with GPF.
Source: Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,950
OpenAlex ID: W4409696734