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.

Fístula colovesical de origen diverticular. Resolución laparoscópica con nuevo recurso técnico / Diverticular colovesical fistulae. Laparoscopic tip

Introducción: La enfermedad diverticular de colon es una patología de alta prevalencia en nuestro medio. Su presentación inicial como fístulas no complicadas no es frecuente sin antecedentes de episodios de diverticulitis previa. Objetivos: Presentar detalles técnicos de la cirugía de resección y tratamiento laparoscópico de una fistula colovesical de origen diverticular. Materiales y métodos: Se presenta el caso de un paciente varón de 63 años con dolor en hipogastrio sin alteraciones evacuatorias ni cirugías previas. Sin antecedentes de diverticulitis. Se realizó ecografía abdominal y tomografía computada donde se constata aire en vejiga. El urocultivo es positivo para escherichia coli y el colon por enema detecta pequeño trayecto fistuloso entre colon sigmoides y vejiga. Se decide resección laparoscópica. Resultados: Se realizó una colectomía sigmoidea laparoscópica con identificación de trayecto fistuloso a la vejiga que se aisló y seccionó entre clips de polímero. Se completó con anastomosis primara colorrectal y sondaje vesical prolongado que se retiró a los 15 días. Los parámetros postoperatorios fueron favorables con egreso a las 72 hs. Conclusión: La fístula colovesical es una complicación de la enfermedad diverticular de colon aunque es rara su debut como forma de presentación sin episodios de diverticulitis previa. Se destaca su identificación como trayecto único y no hemos encontrado mención al respecto en la bibliografía. Su resolución de ligadura entre clips es una opción terapéutica efectiva y rápida para su resolución definitiva. El abordaje laparoscópico electivo es de elección y su tratamiento mediante el procedimiento propuesto resultó efectivo y seguro.

Background: Diverticular disease is a high prevalent colonic pathology. Initial presentation as complicated disease includes fistulas, perforation and bleeding. Objetive: To present technical surgical aspects of surgical treatment of laporoscopic resection of colovesical fistula after diverticular disease. Methods: A 63 years old patient presented with low abdominal pain and no transit symptoms. There was no previous surgery and diverticulitis episode. Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan showed air in the bladder. Urine culture was positive to Escherichia coli. Colonic barium x-rays showed a colovesical fistula. Laparoscopic resection was decided as treatment of choice. Results: Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy, aisolation of fistula tract and posterior clips ligation and section. Primary mecanic anastomosis and 15 days vesical catheter completed the treatment. Postoperative evolution was satisfactory. Conclusions: Colovesical fistula is a frequent complication of complicated diverticular disease, however its debut without previous episodes is rare. The colonic fistula presented as unique tract is unfrequent. Resolution by polimer clips and section associated with colonic resection by laparoscopic is a good option to avoid bladder sutures. This procedure resulted safe and effective.

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.

Fístulas colónicas de origen diverticular / Colonic fistulas of diverticular origin

INTRODUCCIÓN: La enfermedad diverticular de colon sigmoides representa la principal causa de fistulización del colon a órganos vecinos. OBJETIVO: Describir variables clínicas y terapia quirúrgica de esta entidad. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: Revisión retrospectiva de los casos de fístulas colónicas de origen diverticular (FCD) operados en forma electiva en un centro terciario. RESULTADOS: En un periodo de 30 años se realizó cirugía resectiva por una FCD en 49 pacientes. Los órganos más afectados fueron la vejiga en 33 casos (68%) y la vagina en 6 (12%). La cirugía efectuada fue la sigmoidectomía en 48 casos (5 con una ileostomía de protección) y una operación de Hartmann. La vía de abordaje fue laparoscópica en 4 pacientes y la morbilidad global de la serie fue 20%, sin mortalidad. Con un seguimiento promedio de 87 meses (extremos 16-178) no hubo casos de recidiva de la fístula. CONCLUSIONES: La FCD representa el 26% de los casos intervenidos por una enfermedad diverticular de colon sigmoides, lo que probablemente refleja un diagnóstico tardío. La fístula colovesical (FCV) es la fístula más común por esta causa y en la mitad de los casos tienen una presentación silenciosa. Las fístulas colovaginales ocurren en mujeres histerectomizadas. La cirugía resectiva del colon en pacientes con riesgo normal es la cirugía estándar con buenos resultados a corto y largo plazo. La cirugía laparoscópica es factible y segura especialmente en los casos de FCV.

BACKGROUND: Fistula formation is a well-known complication of diverticular disease (FCD). AIM: Determine the clinical presentation and surgical management of this kind of fistulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective revision of all consecutive scheduled cases operated on in a terciary public centre in a thirty-years period. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients with a segmental resection of sigmoid colon were analized. Colovesical fistulas were the most common type (n = 33), followed by colovaginal (n = 6). Resection with anastomosis was performed in 48 cases and Hartmann type operation in one. Laparoscopic procedure was made in 4 cases without conversion. Complication rate was 20% and two patients were reoperated on, without mortality in this series. Follow up showed no case of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: FDC represent 26% of cases operated on in our series. Colovesical fistula is the most common type, followed by colovaginal fistula in histerectomized women. Resection and primary anastomosis should be the treatment of choice in average risk patients with acceptable morbidity and good long-term results. Laparoscopic approach is safe, specifically in patients with colovesical fistulas.

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 secundaria a enfermedad diverticular: cirugía laparoscópica electiva / Colovesical fistula: laparoscopic surgery

Aim: Colovesical fistula is a severe complication associated to neoplastic or inflammatory colon disease. Most common procedure is open surgery. We report a case of colovesical fistula secondary to diverticular disease treated with a laparoscopic approach. Methods: A 64-year-old man was seen with a known colonic diverticular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and recurrent urinary tract infection. He complained of lower abdominal pain, dysuria, and pneumaturia. A CT scan revealed a sigmoid diverticular perforation into the bladder (colovesical fistula). A left hemicolectomy with partial cystectomy was performed by laparoscopy means. Results: There was no morbidity related to the surgical procedure, and the final pathology confirmed a colonic diverticular disease with bladder compromise. The patient is asymptomatic at 24 months of follow up. Conclusion: The laparoscopic approach is a feasible alternative for the treatment of colovesical fistula with low morbidity.

Objetivos: La fístula colovesical es una complicación relacionada con procesos inflamatorios y neoplá-sicos del colon. El manejo tradicional de esta patología es quirúrgico bajo técnica abierta. Presentamos un caso de fístula colovesical secundaria a enfermedad diverticular con tratamiento quirúrgico laparoscópico. Materiales y Métodos: Paciente masculino de 64 años de edad, portador de enfermedad diverticular de larga data con antecedente de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e infecciones urinarias a repetición, quien consulta por presentar dolor en hipogastrio, disuria y neumaturia. Se realiza tomografía computada que revela perforación diverticular de colon sigmoides a vejiga (fístula colovesical). Se realizó hemicolectomía izquierda más cistectomía parcial, con resección del trayecto fistuloso, y cierre vesical y anastomosis colónica laparoscópica. Resultados: No hubo complicaciones intra ni postoperatorias. El estudio anatomopatológico de la pieza operatoria demostró enfermedad diverticular. El paciente se encuentra asintomático a los 24 meses de seguimiento. Conclusión: El abordaje laparoscópico es una alternativa factible para el tratamiento de fístula colovesical, con baja morbilidad.

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.