CLINICAL REPORTS   

Chirurgia 2000 June;13(3):177-80

Copyright © 2000 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Report of two cases of fistulas complicating diverticular disease of the sigmoid colon

Tavone E., Nardi M. jr., Pietroletti R., Simi M.

Two cases of colo-vesical and colo-vaginal fistulas, secondary to diverticular disease of the sigmoid colon are reported. From 1988 to 1998, 69 patients (33 males and 36 females), were admitted at the Department of Surgery, University of L'Aquila for diverticular disease; 11 patients (4 males and 7 females) were operated for complications of the disease. Two patients developed colo-vesical and colo-vaginal fistulas as main complications. Both were treated electively by resection of diseased bowel and primary anastomosis. Colo-vesical and colo-vaginal fistulas are rare complications of the diverticular disease, often presenting with non specific symptoms. However, due to the increase of aged population, such rare complications may occur more frequentely in the future; therefore, a greater attention to their identification is recommended.