[Two cases of aortoesophageal fistula due to ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm].

Aortoesophageal fistula due to ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm is uncommon, and exhibits extremely high mortality. We experienced two cases of such lesion. The first case showed aneurysm in the aortic arch closed with Dacron patch but leaving the esophageal defect. The patient died of an infection of the patch graft after oral feeding. The second case was demonstrated infected aneurysm of the descending aorta. The patient was rescued by primary operation, replacement of the aorta by an artificial graft and resection of the esophagus, and the secondary operation, reconstruction of the esophagus. We recommend resection of aneurysm and the esophagus as well in the aspect of lower post-operative infection in the graft and of the better prognosis of the lesion.