Lesson to be learned: beware of lusoria artery during transhiatal esophagectomy

Ann Thorac Surg. 2012 Sep;94(3):1010-1. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2012.01.092.

Abstract

The presence of an aberrant right subclavian artery represents a potentially risky situation when high mediastinal surgery is planned. We report a case of a patient needing transhiatal esophagectomy for cancer; the presence of the abnormal anatomic arterial situation complicated the postoperative course, when a vascular- digestive fistula appears. We discuss the direct causes and consequences of a rare situation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Diaphragm / surgery
  • Emergencies
  • Esophageal Fistula / etiology*
  • Esophageal Fistula / surgery
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Esophagectomy / adverse effects*
  • Esophagectomy / methods*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Hematemesis / diagnostic imaging
  • Hematemesis / etiology
  • Hematemesis / surgery
  • Hemostasis, Surgical / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinoscopy / methods
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery
  • Preoperative Care / methods
  • Reoperation
  • Risk Assessment
  • Subclavian Artery / abnormalities*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Vascular Fistula / etiology*
  • Vascular Fistula / surgery