Faecaloid breath heralding secondary aorto-enteric fistula

A patient underwent simultaneous abdominal aortic prosthetic replacement and resection of a Meckel diverticulum. He then developed faecaloid breath. Later reoperation for aorto-enteric fistula cured halitosis. We conclude in retrospect that faecaloid breath may herald a secondary aorto-enteric fistula. A pathophysiological mechanism is suggested and discussed.