Massive hemorrhage caused by major pulmonary vessel-cutaneous fistula in the late postoperative period: report of two cases

Surg Today. 2006;36(1):82-4. doi: 10.1007/s00595-005-3103-7.

Abstract

Sudden life-threatening hemorrhage caused by erosion of the wall of a thoracic blood vessel such as the aorta, pulmonary artery, or pulmonary vein, in the late postoperative period is extremely rare and presents a challenging emergency. We report the cases of two patients whose only clinical manifestation was a hemorrhagic cutaneous chest wall fistula. Both patients were treated by emergency surgery. The diagnosis and management of this clinical entity requires a high index of suspicion and innovative therapeutic solutions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arteriovenous Fistula / complications*
  • Cutaneous Fistula / complications*
  • Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Period*
  • Thoracic Wall / physiopathology*
  • Time Factors