RESUMO
Objective To study the pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, surgical treatment and preventive measures of esophagogastric-arterial fistula following resection for carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia. Methods The clinical data of 18 patients with esophagogastric-arterial fistula were retrospective analyzed. Results There were 14 patients of esophageal carcinoma and 4 patients of cardiac carcinoma.7 patients had supra-aortic esophagogastric anastomosis(2 near the apex of pleura) and 11 had anastomosis under the aortic arch. Fatal hemorrhage occurred postoperatively from 11 to 93 days. The interval between hemorrhage and death varied from being instant to 18 days.All patients died. Conclusion The surgical treatment provide an opportunity for those patients. Successful management is possible if early diagnosis is made and prompt surgical management is undertaken. Preventive measures of peptic ulcer and esophageal fistula can decrease occurrence of this complication.