A Case of Problem-Free Survival Five Years After Abdominal Aortic Sigmoid Colon Fistula Surgery

An aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is a rare but life-threatening condition where an abnormal connection forms between the aorta and the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly the duodenum. It can be primary (arising spontaneously due to an aortic aneurysm or infection) or secondary (complicating prior vascular surgery). Immediate recognition and surgical intervention are critical to manage severe gastrointestinal bleeding and prevent fatal outcomes. A 71-year-old male developed an AEF following abdominal aortic graft surgery. Four months postoperatively, he presented with persistent lower gastrointestinal bleeding and was diagnosed with a secondary AEF. A staged surgical approach was employed, involving initial bowel resection, stoma creation, and graft cleaning, followed by subsequent aortic graft replacement with omental flap coverage. Postoperatively, a graft rupture at the proximal anastomosis required emergency endovascular stenting, which stabilized the patient. Antibiotic therapy successfully managed graft infection, including meropenem, linezolid, and later levofloxacin. The patient was discharged home on day 65 and has remained free of aortic events for five years. This case illustrates the complexity of AEF management, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary, staged approach to achieve infection control, hemostasis, and long-term stability. He has been followed up in an outpatient clinic since then. He is now 76 years old, five years later, and is progressing without an aortic event.