Gastropericardial fistula: a late complication of esophageal reconstruction.

Esophageal replacement for both benign and malignant diseases commonly uses gastric tube reconstruction. A rare but potentially life-threatening late complication is the formation of a gastropericardial fistula. We describe a case of gastropericardial fistula occurring more than 20 years after esophageal reconstruction for congenital esophageal atresia. We report our surgical strategy and review the key concepts in the management of this complication.