[Colopericardial fistula after esophageal replacement surgery: case report and literature review].

INTRODUCTION

Colopericardial fistula is a rare complication of colonic replacement surgery whose incidence is unknown. Therefore, we present the following case and perform a literature review.

CLINICAL CASE: 17-year-old female patient of age consults for respiratory distress and precordial pain of 5 days of evolution.

Background

Long gap esophageal atresia (esophagostoma and feeding gastrostomy, subsequent colonic graft). Bilateral pneumonia is initially diagnosed. It rapidly evolves to a state of sepsis. On chest x-ray, pneumopericardium is observed. Water-soluble contrasted study confirms diagnosis of colopericardial fistula. Surgical treatment is established, despite this the patient dies due to respiratory distress.

COMMENT: Colopericardial fistula is a very serious entity with a high mortality rate. The clinical presentation and the complementary methods of diagnostic confirmation must be known in order to carry out the appropriate treatment.