Non-curative surgery for aortoenteric fistula

Graft infection with secondary aortic fistula is a rare complication following implantation of aortic prostheses, frequently occurring after emergency procedures and reoperations. The condition is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Curative treatment consists of explantation of the infected graft followed by fistula revision and implantation of a new graft in combination with antimicrobial therapy. Non-curative treatment with aortic stentgraft and long-term substitution treatment with antibiotics may be an option in cases where graft explantation is deemed too risky. We present an elderly patient with aortoenteric fistula following surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Implantation of an aortic stentgraft and fistula revision was performed but the original aortic prosthesis was not explanted. The aortoenteric fistula recurred twice, but the patient has survived more than 12 years following non-curative surgery with good quality of life.