Esophagogastric fistula secondary to teflon pledget: a rare complication following laparoscopic fundoplication

Dis Esophagus. 2000;13(1):72-4. doi: 10.1046/j.1442-2050.2000.00083.x.

Abstract

Laparoscopic fundoplication has become the standard operation for gastroesophageal reflux disease. In our service, a laparoscopic fundoplication is performed as a 2-cm floppy 360 degrees wrap with division of the short gastric vessels and the fundoplication is sutured using a prolene 2/0 mattress suture (Ethicon, USA) and buttressed laterally with two teflon pledgets (PTFE 1.85 mm; low porosity, Bard, USA). We report a patient with post-operative dysphagia due to an esophagogastric fistula caused by erosion of a teflon pledget. This is the first such case in 734 laparoscopic fundoplications performed between January 1991 and December 1998. Reoperation was required, resulting in a prolonged convalescence. A review of current literature has not revealed any similar cases. Causes for this rare complication are postulated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Esophageal Fistula / diagnosis*
  • Fundoplication* / methods
  • Gastric Fistula / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis*