Arterio-venous fistula following partial gastrectomy

Arteriovenous (A-V) fistula localized to the gastrocolic ligament and occlusin of the common hepatic artery are rare complications following surgery. One patient with both these abnormalities after gastric resection is reported. No sign of liver tissue necrosis was demonstrated, and the development of an A-V fistula to the portal vein system might have been beneficial for the oxygenation of the liver tissue. A-V fistulae of the intestinal vessels should be considered in patients with abdominal complaints following gastrointestinal surgery. Resection of the fistula is recommended because of the increased risk of rupture of these thin walled and dilated intestinal vessels.