Closure of a benign gastrocolic fistula on medical management.

Abstract

Gastrocolic fistulae secondary to un-operated benign gastric ulcers are rare. We report a case of a large benign gastrocolic fistula diagnosed by colonoscopy, which was found to have healed over a short period of 3 weeks, while the patient was being prepared for surgery. He was on parenteral nutrition and intravenous cimetidine. The available literature is reviewed and an attempt is made to explain the closure of the fistula on medical treatment. A trial of medical management may be justified in patients with benign gastrocolic fistulae who are poor surgical risks.