Objective: To analyze the problem of secondary arterioenteric fistulation, a rare but serious complication.
Methods: A systematic literature review was performed searching for case reports as well as patients included in articles analyzing especially infectious complications.
Results: 332 individual cases and 1135 patients from papers on complications were identified. All types of surgery involving aorta and its branches could precede the complication, endovascular procedures included. The development of a fistula can occur at any time after primary surgery, the longest delay being 26 years. Bleeding was the dominating symptom with herald bleeding in more than half of the patients, infectious problems present in around one quarter. Diagnostic delay was typical, although decreasing over time. The mortality was high, lowest after axillobifemoral revascularization and aortic graft removal. The information in the articles is often heterogeneous and incomplete, and follow-up time is often too short. Mortality after fistulation seems to have decreased over time.
Conclusion: Secondary arterioenteric fistula continues to be an extremely serious complication after surgery on aorta and its branches. Every effort must be made to arrive at a rapid diagnosis. The best therapeutic option seems to be axillobifemoral revascularization and subsequent graft removal, which however, requires haemodynamically stable patients. Endovascular repair may serve as a bridge to open surgery.