Aorto-oesophageal fistula after oesophageal stent placement in a patient with a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

A 43-year-old female patient suffered from persistent anastomotic leakage after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity. Endoscopic stenting of the anastomotic leakage was performed. The patient presented with haematemesis 3 weeks later. An aorto-oesophageal fistula was diagnosed, most likely due to ulceration of the oesophageal stent. The fistula was closed with an endovascular covered aortic stent and a new gastrojejunostomy was created. One year after surgery, the patient is in good condition. Endoscopic stents are increasingly being used to treat anastomotic leakage in bariatric patients. An aorto-oesophageal fistula is a life-threatening complication of stent placement, early clinical recognition is essential. More data are needed on the complications of anastomotic stenting in bariatric patients.