Successful management following combined thoracic endovascular aortic repair and minimally invasive esophagectomy for primary aortoesophageal fistula: A case report

Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but life-threatening pathology. We report a case of a primary AEF that was successfully managed with temporary thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and esophagectomy with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A 73-year-old man was transferred to the emergency department with a complaint of hematemesis. A computed tomography scan identified an AEF due to aortic aneurysm. We placed a stent using TEVAR for the purpose of hemodynamic stasis, and the operation was performed 23 h after admission. Right video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy (VATS-E) was chosen, and a cervical esophagostomy and a feeding gastrostomy tube was constructed. Infection had been effectively controlled postoperatively. Four months after the first operation, we performed esophageal reconstruction. At the 70-month follow-up examination, the patient had no signs of mediastinitis. VATS-E immediately after hemostabilization by TEVAR is useful management for primary AEF.