Gastroatrial fistula following esophagectomy with esophagogastrostomy

A case of gastroatrial fistula following resection of a carcinoma of the mid-esophagus and re-establishment of the alimentary tract with a cervical esophagogastrostomy is presented. Three episodes of moderate upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to chronic peptic ulcer of the stomach placed in the thorax occurred three years after the operation. At this time, the patient was also admitted to the hospital with diagnosis of pericarditis of unknown etiology. Three years later the patient had a massive and fatal episode of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.