[Gastropericardial fistula. Late complication of the treatment of hiatal hernia].

An exceptional case of gastropericardial fistula is reported, the lesion developing from a gastric ulcer on an antireflux valve instituted ten years previously. A literature review showed 31 similar cases: 14 gastropericardial fistulae, 16 esophagopericardial fistulae and one jejunopericardial fistula. Three features common to all these fistulae were determined: the frequency of hiatus hernia in the genesis of these lesions, either from an ulcer on esophagitis or herniated stomach or from surgical complication; the extremely high mortality of these fistulae (68% mortality); the need for aggressive treatment.