A vesico-peritoneal fistula in a patient with history of diverticulitis-related colovesical fistula repair: a case report

A vesico-peritoneal fistula is an epithelialized communication between the peritoneal cavity and the urinary bladder. It is a rare entity scarcely reported in medical literature. High index of suspicion is needed for diagnosis and treatment. Here we expose the case of a vesico-peritoneal fistula presenting with chronic abdominal pain 4 years after sigmoidectomy. A 38-year-old male presented with lower quadrant abdominal pain. He had history of sigmoidectomy with colorectal anastomosis and bladder repair due to diverticular disease-related colovesical fistula 5 years prior to admission. Elevated serum creatinine levels and oliguria were documented. Intraperitoneal free fluid was found by computed tomography (CT) scan. Percutaneous drainage was performed, and laboratory test showed elevated peritoneal creatinine levels. CT-Cystography revealed a vesico-peritoneal fistula. Dissection of fistulous tract and primary closure of bladder defect was achieved. Vesico-peritoneal fistulas have been described as surgical procedure complications with a variable postoperative time of presentation. Low index of suspicion led to delayed diagnosis, finally suspected by intraperitoneal fluid analysis and confirmed by cystography. Intraperitoneal reabsorption of urine elevated serum creatinine levels mimicking renal failure. Management ranges from conservative to surgical procedures, in this case fistulous tract dissection and primary bladder closure was accomplished. Vesico-peritoneal fistulas are rarely reported. Common clinical findings include chronic abdominal pain and free intraperitoneal fluid. Misdiagnosis of acute renal failure is frequent due to elevated serum creatinine levels and oliguria.  Laparoscopic dissection of fistulous tract and primary closure of bladder defect is a safe option as treatment of this condition.

Clinical Presentation, Management and Outcome in Diverticular Colovesical Fistulas - Our Experience.

Colovesical fistula (CVF) is an abnormal communication between the urinary bladder and the large intestine, usually sigmoid colon. Diverticulitis is the most common cause of CVF in most of the western studies, accounting for approximately 70% of cases. Diverticular CVF is uncommon in Asia. This case series shares the experience of six cases of diverticular CVF in Indian population. METHODSMedical records of six patients with diverticular colovesical fistulas during the period January 2016 - August 2019 were reviewed with regard to symptoms, diagnostic investigations, and management. Various aspects of the disease were analysed to determine the common features of colovesical fistula in our population. RESULTSAll patients with diverticular colovesical fistula were presented with urinary symptoms and none were aware about their existing colonic diverticulosis. Five out of the six cases presented with pneumaturia. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) abdomen detected sigmoid diverticulosis with vesical fistula in all cases. The most common site of fistula found on cystoscopy was on the left superolateral wall of bladder. All cases were operated as a single stage procedure including fistula repair, colonic resection, omental interposition with no temporary colostomy which provided an excellent surgical cure. CONCLUSIONSColovesical fistula secondary to diverticular disease has shown a rising incidence and can be effectively managed by a multidisciplinary team. It requires prompt diagnosis, adequate preoperative evaluation, perioperative care including bowel preparation, nutritional supplementation, appropriate antibiotics, and meticulous surgical skills allowing an elective one-stage approach.

Colovesical fistula secondary to hernia mesh migration: an unusual incident / Fístula colovesical secundária à migração da malha para reparo de hérnia: um incidente incomum

ABSTRACT We evaluated a 27-year old male with pneumaturia and fecaluria with a past history of right inguinal hernia repair. Though, cystoscopy and contrast enhanced computed tomography did not furnish any evidence to arrive at a diagnosis, interestingly, colonoscopy revealed a mesh in the sigmoid colon making apparent the diagnosis of colovesical fistula secondary to mesh migration. Later, surgical removal of the mesh from the sigmoid colon with rent closure of the fistulous opening was done successfully. Our case thus, highlights the vital role of common diagnostic tool like colonoscopy in making an uncommon diagnosis.

RESUMO Avaliamos um homem de 27 anos com pneumaturia e fecalúria com antecedentes de reparo da hérnia inguinal direita. Embora a cistoscopia e a tomografia computadorizada com contraste (TCC) não tenham fornecido nenhuma evidência para obter-se um diagnóstico, curiosamente, a colonoscopia revelou uma malha no cólon sigmoide, estabelecendo o diagnóstico de fístula colovesical (FCV) secundária à migração da malha. Mais tarde, foi feita a remoção cirúrgica da malha do cólon sigmoide com fechamento da abertura fistulosa com sucesso. Nosso caso, portanto, destaca o papel vital de uma ferramenta diagnóstica comum, como a colonoscopia, para obter-se um diagnóstico incomum.

Colovesical Fistula: Should It Be Considered a Single Disease?

PURPOSE: This research was conducted to compare the management and the outcome of patients with colovesical fistulae of different aetiologies. METHODS: Retrospective data were collected from 2002 to 2012 and analyzed with SPSS ver. 17. Age, gender, aetiology, management, hospital stay, postoperative complications, and mortality were studied and compared among colovesical fistulae of different aetiologies. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients, 46 males (84%) and 9 females (16%), with a median age of 65 years (interquartile range [IQR], 48-75 years) were studied. Diverticular disease was the most common benign cause and recto-sigmoid cancer the most common malignancy. Anterior resection and bladder repair were the most frequent operations in benign cases, as was total pelvic exenteration in the malignant group. Multiple intestinal loop involvement and subsequent resection were significantly higher in those with Crohn disease than it was in patients of colovesical fistula due to all other causes collectively (60% vs. 6%, P = 0.006). Patients with malignancy had a higher postoperative complication rate than patients who did not (12 [80%] vs. 7 [32%], P = 0.0005). Pelvic collection (11, 22%) was the most frequent early complication (predominantly in the malignant group) whereas incisional hernia (8, 22%) was the most common late complication, with a predominance in the benign group. The median hospital stay was significantly prolonged in the malignant group (32 days; IQR, 17-70 days vs. 16 days; IQR, 11-25 days; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite their having similar clinical presentation, colovesical fistulae of various aetiologies differ significantly in management and outcome.

Fístula colovesical de origen diverticular / Results of surgical treatment of colovesical fistulas of diverticular origin

Background: The main causes of colovesical fistulas are diverticular disease of the colon and colon carcinoma. Aim: To analyze the results of the surgical treatment of colovesical fistulas of diverticular origin. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients operated for a colovesical fistula of diverticular origin. Results: From 141 patients subjected to a colon excision for diverticular disease, 18 had a colovesical fistula. The latter, compared to patients without fistulas were male in a higher proportion, were younger and had more concomitant diseases. Pneumaturia was reported in 83 percent and urine fecal soiling in 56 percent. In two thirds of patients, the fistula appeared in the absence of a diverticular crisis. Abdominal CAT sean demonstrated the fistula in 80 percent of cases. It was complemented with barium enema and cystoscopy. Excision with immediate anastomosis was the surgical procedure used in 94 percent of patients, without sequelae or relapse, after a mean follow up of 74 months. No patient died during the procedure or required a new intervention. Conclusions: Colovesical fistulas are most common in young men with associated diseases and their treatment of choice, with good long-term results, is primary excision.

Antecedentes: El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico de la Fístula Coló Vesical (FCV) de origen diverticular, los que se comparan con la enfermedad diverticular no fistulizada. Pacientes y Método: Análisis retrospectivo de todos los pacientes intervenidos por una FCV de origen diverticular en forma consecutiva. Resultados: De un total de 141 pacientes resecados por una enfermedad diverticular del colon sigmoides, la indicación quirúrgica en 27 (19,3 por ciento) fue la presencia de una fístula, de las cuales 18 corresponden a una FCV. El grupo con FCV tiene predominio de hombres (p = 0,0001), más joven (p = 0,027) y con mayor incidencia de enfermedades asociadas (p = 0,0001). La neumaturia se presentó en el 83 por ciento y la fecaluria en el 56 por ciento. En dos tercios de los casos la FCV se estableció en ausencia de una crisis diverticular previa. El estudio más relevante para demostrar la presencia de una FCV fue la tomografía computada (80 por ciento), que se complementa con el enema balitado y la cistoscopia. La resección con anastomosis inmediata, más simple sutura de la vejiga fue el procedimiento empleado en el 94 por ciento de los pacientes, sin secuelas ni casos de recidiva, con un seguimiento global promedio de 74,2 meses (extremos 12-158). No hubo reoperaciones ni mortalidad operatoria. Conclusiones: la FCV de origen diverticular es una condición patológica poco frecuente que afecta a pacientes varones en la séptima década de la vida, con múltiples enfermedades asociadas y que frecuentemente se instala en forma silenciosa. La resección primaria es el tratamiento de elección con buenos resultados a largo plazo.