Abstract
Seven patients with internal fistulae complicating colonic diverticular disease were treated by laparoscopic assisted colectomy over a 24-month period. Prospective review of these patients was carried out to ascertain efficacy of the treatment. No intraoperative complications were encountered and return of gastrointestinal function was apparent within two days in all cases. Postoperative hospital stay was limited to an average of 4.7 days. No long-term complication or fistula recurrence has been noted in the mean 11-month follow-up period. This study indicates laparoscopic assisted colectomy is an effective means of treatment for diverticular fistulae.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Goligher J (1984) Surgery of the anus rectum and colon, 5th ed. Bailliere Tindall, Eastbourne, p 1098
Puente I, Sosa JL, Desai U, et al. (1994) Laparoscopic treatment of colovesical fistulas: technique and report of two cases. Surg Laparosc Endosc 4: 157–160
Woods RJ, Lavery IC, Fazio VW, et al. (1988) Internal fistulas in diverticular disease. Dis Colon Rectum 31: 591–596
Woods RJ (1990) Diverticulitis and fistula. In Fazio (ed) Current therapy in colon and rectal surgery. BC Decker, Burlington
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hewett, P.J., Stitz, R. The treatment of internal fistulae that complicate diverticular disease of the sigmoid colon by laparoscopically assisted colectomy. Surg Endosc 9, 411–413 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00187162
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00187162