Appendico-colonic Fistula

ABSTRACT

Perforation of the appendix into the neighboring viscera is an uncommon sequel to acute appendicitis, and the persistence of the fistula between the appendix and a viscus is even rarer. Although a variety of causes such as foreign body ingestion and regional enteritis may be responsible for persistent appendiceal enteric fistula, the cause for these unusual lesions in our experience appeared to be antecedent appendicitis. Generally, the incidence of persistent appendiceal enteric fistula is very rare and the progress of disease is quite different from the so-called 'usual' acute appendicitis. The diagnosis might lean the wrong way such as towards colitis or cystitis, and so surgical intervention is delayed. Treatments of perforation are diversion (colostomy), as is shown above or conservative treatment such as drainage only.