Colon Fistula: A Conditioning Treatment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14738/bjhr.1206.19522Keywords:
Fistula, Colon fistula, Diverticulitis, Fecal transplant, CT scanAbstract
Introduction: colon or rectal fistula is a medical/surgical challenge that, with precedents and resilience, is presented as a complication of another real cause and fistula is defined as the path in abnormal communication between one epithelium and another. Objective: to present the experience of seven years in diagnosis and treatment in four hospitals in Mexico City. Method: this is a study with a multicenter, retrospective, longitudinal, observational and descriptive design. In the Colon and Rectal Surgery services, as well as General Surgery of the second and third level of health care. Results: from 118 records, a total of 46 patients with colon fistula were chosen, of which 17 were male (36.95 %) and 29 were female (63.04 %). With an age range of 21 to 82 years, with an average of 61 years and a bimodal value of 33 and 64 years. Its etiology was diverse, but its presentation was documented as entero-cutaneous, entero-bladder, entero-vaginal, entero-uterine, entero-enteric fistulas. Discussion: the diagnosis of colon fistula is made with a complete medical history, which is mostly clinically evident with the classic triad. The gold standard for confirming a diagnosis of acute diverticulitis and evaluating complications is CT scan with contrast of the abdomen; the treatment alternatives for colon fistulas to another organ varies according to the case, the clinical conditions and/or their prognosis of cure according to the Chapman and Sheldon stages; successful conservative management or treatment in hemodynamically stable patients, offering less invasive alternatives in selected clinical scenarios, or even fecal transplants in patients with complicated diverticulitis; however, surgical intervention remains the definitive treatment for symptomatic or complicated fistulas. Conclusions: regarding the treatment of colon fistulas, this will be conditioned according to each patient, by the hemodynamic conditions, the etiology, the characteristics of nutrition/infection and of course the surgeon's expertise, as well as the infrastructure of the installed capacity that is available.
References
García-Sánchez M.A., De La Fuente-González M., Estrada-Rodriguez M.A., y cols. Fístula. Una complicación catastrófica y desafiante. Revisión bibliográfica. Revista Ocronos. 2023; 7(5):170.
Coccolini F, Ceresoli M, Kluger Y, Kirkpatrick A, Montori G, Salvetti F, Fugazzola P, Tomasoni M, Sartelli M, Ansaloni L, Catena F, Negoi I, Zese M, Occhionorelli S, Shlyapnikov S, Galatioto C, Chiarugi M, Demetrashvili Z, Dondossola D, Ioannidis O, Novelli G, Nacoti M, Khor D, Inaba K, Demetriades D, Kaussen T, Jusoh AC, Ghannam W, Sakakushev B, Guetta O, Dogjani A, Costa S, Singh S, Damaskos D, Isik A, Yuan KC, Trotta F, Rausei S, Martinez-Perez A, Bellanova G, Fonseca V, Hernández F, Marinis A, Fernandes W, Quiodettis M, Bala M, Vereczkei A, Curado R, Fraga GP, Pereira BM, Gachabayov M, Chagerben GP, Arellano ML, Ozyazici S, Costa G, Tezcaner T, Porta M, Li Y, Karateke F, Manatakis D, Mariani F, Lora F, Sahderov I, Atanasov B, Zegarra S, Gianotti L, Fattori L, Ivatury R. Open abdomen and entero-atmospheric fistulae: An interim analysis from the International Register of Open Abdomen (IROA). Injury. 2019 Jan;50(1):160-166.
Armas-Pérez B. A. Colostomía: aspectos a conocer y recordar. Revista Archivo Médico de Camagüey. 2020;
Szereszwski J. Anatomía quirúrgica del colon. Cirugía Digestiva. F. Galindo. www.sacd.org.ar, 2009; III-301, pág. 1-6.
Cazelles A., Manceau G., Maggiori L. Surgical Anatomy of the Colon, CME - Surgical Techniques - Digestive System.2023;31(1):1-9.
Brown RF, Lopez K, Smith CB, Charles A. Diverticulitis: A Review. JAMA. 2025 Jul 24. doi: 10.1001/jama.2025.10234.
Mady S, Högenauer C, Kaufmann-Bühler AK. Pancreaticocolonic fistulae: a rare cause of profound diarrhoea. BMJ Case Rep. 2025 Jul 25;18(7):e264903. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2025-264903. PMID: 40713077.
Laabidi S, Aboubecrine H, Souissi S, Gouiaa D, Labidi A, Ben Mustapha N, Haddad A, Sebai A, Serghini M, Fekih M, Jaziri H, Boubaker J. Colonic strictures in Crohn's disease: a non-surgical survival. Future Sci OA. 2025 Dec;11(1):2455911. doi: 10.1080/20565623.2025.2455911.
Ren K, Li Y, Li Z, Yao Z, Ma B, Ren J, Han X. Colonic stenting plus vascular plug for malignant gastrocolonic fistula. Endoscopy. 2025 Dec;57(S 01):E161-E162. doi: 10.1055/a-2530-2836.
Zhang W, Pan G, Wu J, Xu Y. Clinical Management and Outcomes of Splenic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Complicated by Colonic Fistula After Gastrectomy: A Report of Two Cases. J Vis Exp. 2025 Aug 12;(222). doi: 10.3791/68838. PMID: 40889265.
Ke M, Yang J. Case Report: Suspected intestinal perforation caused by accidental ingestion of magnet. Front Surg. 2025 Aug 7;12:1583175. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2025.1583175. PMID: 40851665; PMCID: PMC12367695.
Shahrahmani F, Asghari Y, Nikbakhsh N, Salamatfar H, Ahangar SK. Foreign body-induced Colovesical fistula: A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2025 Aug;133:111662. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2025.111662. Epub 2025 Jul 11. PMID: 40652869; PMCID: PMC12309021.
Lamb R, Kahlon A, Sukumar S, Layton B. Small bowel diverticulosis: imaging appearances, complications and pitfalls. Clin Radiol. 2022; 77(4):264-73.
Martínez-Valdés. J.A., García Sánchez M.A., et al. “Massive Small Intestine Diverticular Disease”. EC Gastroenterology and Digestive System. 2020; 7: 57-61.
Pérez-Garcia L.A., Vinardell-Almira L.M. Evaluación de opciones terapéuticas para la enfermedad diverticular del colon. Revista Cubana de Cirugía. 2018; 57(4): 19-27.
Barbaro M.R., et al. Pathophysiology of Diverticular Disease: From Diverticula Formation to Symptom Generation. Int J Mol Sci. 2022; 23(12):6698.
Martínez, B. Z. A., Jarquin, J. L., Piña, O. E., Ocampo, C. I. C., Sánchez, U. S. C., Guerrero, L. G., Ángeles, B. P. R., & Sánchez, M. A. G. (2025). Colon Volvulus: Disease or Consequence? British Journal of Healthcare and Medical Research, Vol - 12(1). 83-92.
Pironi D, Candioli S, Manigrasso A, La Torre V, Palazzini G, Romani AM, Tarroni D, Filippini A. La malattia diverticolare complicata: le fistole colo-vescicati. Presentazione di tre casi clinici e revisione della letteratura [Complicated diverticular disease. Three cases of colovesical fistulas and review of literature]. G Chir. 2006 Jan-Feb;27(1-2):15-20.
Hernández, J. L. G., Sánchez, M. A. G., Barrón, G. M., Suárez, I. A. L., & Cabello, J. de J. U. (2025). Abdominal Sepsis in Surgery and does this "Diagnosis" Really Exist? Effective Surgical Therapy. British Journal of Healthcare and Medical Research, Vol - 12(02). 449-469.
Weerakkody Y, Silverstone L, Bell D, et al. Fístula gastrointestinal. Artículo de referencia, Radiopaedia.org (Consultado el 14 de octubre de 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-17392
Wong SK, Ho YH, Leong AP, Seow-Choen F. Clinical behavior of complicated right-sided and left-sided diverticulosis. Dis Colon Rectum. 1997 Mar;40(3):344-8. doi: 10.1007/BF02050427.
Romero AL, Romero J, Sah A, Koomson A, Arun N. Acute Transverse Colon Diverticulitis: A Case Report and Literature Review. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2024 Jul 2;14(4):105-110. doi: 10.55729/2000-9666.1359. URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/bjhr.1206.19522. 23
Khaddour S, Assaf A, Karaja S, Barboura M, Borghol W, Isa K. Mesh migration to the sigmoid colon complicated by the formation of colocutaneous fistula 36 years post incisional hernia repair: a case report. J Surg Case Rep. 2025 May 13;2025(5):rjaf306. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjaf306.
He J, Qian G, Mao Y, Gao L. Comparison of early vs. routine removal of abdominal drainage tube after laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis: a retrospective cohort study. Front Surg. 2025 Jul 18; 12:1617312. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2025.1617312.
Coelho, Júlio Cezar Uili & Gomes, Guilherme & Macedo, Júlio. (2010). Colonoscopic treatment of colocutaneous fistula with collagen plug. ABCD. Arquivos Brasileiros de Cirurgia Digestiva (São Paulo). 23. 135-137.
García-Sánchez M.A., Urbina-Cabello J.J., Mendez-Barrón G., y cols. Prolapso rectal ¿una nueva técnica quirúrgica? Revista Ocronos. 2023; 6(12):162.
Laméris W, van Randen A, van Gulik TM, et al.: Una regla de decisión clínica para establecer el diagnóstico de diverticulitis aguda en urgencias. Dis Colon Rectum 2010;53(6):896–904.
Hall J, Hardiman K, Lee S, et al.: Guías de práctica clínica de la Sociedad Americana de Cirujanos de Colon y Recto para el tratamiento de la diverticulitis colónica izquierda. Dis Colon Rectum 2020; 63:728–747.
Garfinkle R, Boutros M. Current Management of Diverticulitis. Adv Surg. 2024 Sep;58(1):87-106. doi: 10.1016/j.yasu.2024.04.017. Epub 2024 Jun 27. PMID: 39089789.
Thorisson A, Nikberg M, Torkzad MR, Laurell H, Smedh K, Chabok A. Diagnostic accuracy of acute diverticulitis with unenhanced low-dose CT. BJS Open. 2020 Aug;4(4):659-665. doi: 10.1002/bjs5.50290.
Nielsen K, Richir MC, Stolk TT, van der Ploeg T, Moormann GR, Wiarda BM, Schreurs WH. The limited role of ultrasound in the diagnostic process of colonic diverticulitis. World J Surg. 2014 Jul;38(7):1814-8. doi: 10.1007/s00268-013-2423-9.
Qaseem A, Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta I, Lin JS, Fitterman N, Shamliyan T, Wilt TJ; Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians*; Crandall CJ, Cooney TG, Cross JT Jr, Hicks LA, Maroto M, Mustafa RA, Obley AJ, Owens DK, Tice J, Williams JW Jr; Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. Diagnosis and Management of Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis: A Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2022 Mar;175(3):399-415. doi: 10.7326/M21-2710.
Bridoux V, Regimbeau JM, Ouaissi M, Mathonnet M, Mauvais F, Houivet E, Schwarz L, Mege D, Sielezneff I, Sabbagh C, Tuech JJ. Hartmann's Procedure or Primary Anastomosis for Generalized Peritonitis due to Perforated Diverticulitis: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Trial (DIVERTI). J Am Coll Surg. 2017 Dec;225(6):798-805. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2017.09.004.
Najjar SF, Jamal MK, Savas JF, Miller TA. The spectrum of colovesical fistula and diagnostic paradigm. Am J Surg. 2004 Nov;188(5):617-21. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2004.08.016.
Keady C, Hechtl D, Joyce M. When the bowel meets the bladder: Optimal management of colorectal pathology with urological involvement. World J Gastrointest Surg. 2020 May 27;12(5):208-225. doi: 10.4240/wjgs. v12.i5.208.
Castillo C Octavio, Rodríguez-Carlin Arquímides, Campaña V Gonzalo, Pérez C Alberto. Fístula colovesical secundaria a enfermedad diverticular: cirugía laparoscópica selectiva. Rev Chil Cir. Junio de 2012; 64(3): 278-281
Williams K, Owen M, Honeycutt A. An Unusual Presentation of Diverticular Colovesical Fistula: Acute Renal Failure With Bilateral Emphysematous Pyelonephritis. Cureus. 2025 Sep 16;17(9):e92456. doi: 10.7759/cureus.92456.
Amiri B, Roshani A, Karimi M, Rouzbahani AK, Yaghoubi B. A combined cholecystoduodenocolic and gastrocolic fistula with a common orifice in the colon: A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2025 Oct; 135:111899. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2025.111899. 24
van der Beeke NP, Stevenson MG, Steller EJA, van Dalsen AD, Witte LPW, van Westreenen HL. Diagnostic yield of cystography after sigmoid resection for colovesical fistula due to complicated diverticulitis. Tech Coloproctol. 2025 Oct 8;29(1):174. doi: 10.1007/s10151-025-03216-1.
Lu D, Shuchao Y, Shangfan L, Yongyang W, Xueping X. Penile gangrene induced by colovesical fistula: a case report. BMC Urol. 2025 Sep 29;25(1):241. doi: 10.1186/s12894-025-01945-x.
Etskovitz H, Rincon-Cruz L, Kim RS, Chow J, Nandivada P, Dickie BH. Versatility of contrast enhanced colosonography for pre-operative evaluation of anorectal malformation with fistula. J Pediatr Surg. 2025 Aug 22:162591. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162591.
Ke M, Yang J. Case Report: Suspected intestinal perforation caused by accidental ingestion of magnet. Front Surg. 2025 Aug 7; 12:1583175. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2025.158317
Bannura C. Guillermo, Barrera E. Alejandro, Melo L. Carlos, Illanes F. Felipe, Gallardo V. Cristián. Fístulas colónicas de origen diverticular. Rev. cir. [Internet]. 2019 Ago [citado 2025 Oct 14]; 71(4): 318-322.
Schoen SP, Zaghiyan K, Fleshner P. Is Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Tract Useful in Crohn's Disease of the Ileal Pouch Complicated by an Anal Fistula? Dis Colon Rectum. 2025 Oct 1;68(10):1191-1196. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000003884.
Joshi A, Agarwal R, Soni K, Bothra M, Vyas A, Meel H, Falodia S. Takayasu Arteritis with Fistulizing Crohn's Disease: A Rare Presentation. J Assoc Physicians India. 2025 Sep;73(9S):55-57. doi: 10.59556/japi.73.1007.
Ghantous M, El Zein Z, Radwan R, Geagea A, Alam H, Abou Rached A. Silent complication: chronic diarrhea as a clue to gastrojejunocolic fistula: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Aug 1;104(31):e43577. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000043577.
Chaney M, Stevens N, Coster S, Welter M, Minnick D, Shebrain S. Resection of iliac artery to sigmoid colon fistula in patient with prior bowel resection and endovascular aortic repair with hypogastric coiling. J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech. 2025 Apr 7;11(4):101801. doi: 10.1016/j.jvscit.2025.101801.
Vining S, Chapman BM. Colocaval Fistula: A Unique Case Report. Case Rep Surg. 2025 Jul 29;2025:8818123. doi: 10.1155/cris/8818123.
Otero Figar J, García López L, Magide Yañez I, Álvarez Díez M, Mesonero de la Cruz B, Granda Villanueva E, Barreiro Alonso E. Pancreaticocolonic fistula resolved through conservative management: a case that defies the norm. Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2025 Jul 4. doi: 10.17235/reed.2025.11316/2025.
Cahoon AF, Tou LC, Adenote AT, Triplett DJ, Musleh M. Benign Duodenocolic Fistula: A Rare Complication of Peptic Ulcer Disease. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2025 Jun 9;12(7):005483. doi: 10.12890/2025_005483.
Patel A, Jeanty H. The Unforeseen Connection: A Rare Case of Salpingo-Sigmoidal Fistula Secondary to Ulcerative Colitis. Cureus. 2025 May 15;17(5):e84186. doi: 10.7759/cureus.84186
McMullen BN, Chen See J, Baker S, Wright JR, Anderson SLC, Yochum G, Koltun W, Portolese A, Jeganathan NA, Lamendella R. Metatranscriptomic analysis of colonic mucosal samples exploring the functional role of active microbial consortia in complicated diverticulitis. Microbiol Spectr. 2025 Jul;13(7):e0243124. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.02431-24. Epub 2025 May 22.
Belay SA, Negussie MA, Kassie MT, Abdulsemed Y, Assefa FG, Ebrahim FS. A rare case of congenital appendiceal duplication complicated by an appendiceal-sigmoid fistula: A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2025 Jun;131:111429. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2025.111429.
Sassun R, Sileo A, Ng JC, Mari G, Behm KT, Shawki SF, Larson DW. Diverticular disease complicated by colovesical and colovaginal fistulas: not so complex robotically. Surg Endosc. 2025 Jun;39(6):3941-3946. doi: 10.1007/s00464-025-11754-w.
Fatah F, Watson JT. Atypical Presentation of an Enterovesical Fistula in a Nonverbal Patient With Recurrent Seizures and Diarrhea: A Case Report. Cureus. 2025 May 27;17(5):e84891. doi: 10.7759/cureus.84891.
Ren K, Li Y, Li Z, Yao Z, Ma B, Ren J, Han X. Colonic stenting plus vascular plug for malignant gastrocolonic fistula. Endoscopy. 2025 Dec;57(S 01):E161-E162. doi: 10.1055/a-2530-2836. 25
Shelemey PT, Ravi D, Haimanot S. Duodenal Stenting in Complicated Crohn's Disease: Novel Management of Complete Discontinuity of the Small Bowel. ACG Case Rep J. 2025 Oct 1;12(10):e01853. doi: 10.14309/crj.0000000000001853.
Volkert A, Nigam A, Stover D, Meshram P, Naaz R, Onongaya C, Nguyen SH, Sauve J, Gaertner W, Harmon JV Jr. Comparison of Open Versus Minimally Invasive Repair of Colovesical Fistula: A Case Report and Propensity-Matched National Database Analysis. J Clin Med. 2025 Aug 27;14(17):6065. doi: 10.3390/jcm14176065.
Belay SA, Negussie MA, Kassie MT, Abdulsemed Y, Assefa FG, Ebrahim FS. A rare case of congenital appendiceal duplication complicated by an appendiceal-sigmoid fistula: A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2025 Jun; 131:111429. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2025.111429. Epub 2025 May 13. PMID: 40367792;
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Carlos Alberto Martínez Cordero, Astrid Ortiz Vargas, Dan Jeerebai Castro Solórzano, Mariana González Valiente, Samuel Abraham Gómez Acevedo, Adolfo García Ramírez, Katia Berenice Pineda Miranda, Max Cristopher Rodriguez Castillo, Elsa Nalleli Romero Guzmán, Morelos Adolfo García Sánchez

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.