title: Colocutaneous fistula complicating sigmoid diverticulitis.
abstract: Colocutaneous fistula is a very rare complication of colonic diverticular disease. Herein we describe a case with a fistula connecting the sigmoid with the left flank area complicating diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon. An 85-year-old female patient with a history of acute diverticulitis 3 months earlier, was admitted with a subcutaneous abscess in the left flank. The abscess was drained and subsequently a colocutaneous fistula was established. At operation the sigmoid colon with the fistulous tract were excised. The patient had no postoperative complications and at present, 2 years later, she fares well. Colocutaneous fistula is a serious complication of chronic diverticulitis and requires surgical excision for its definite treatment.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Surgery, University of Athens School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Greece. Electronic address: acharalabopoulos@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Charalabopoulos
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Surgery, University of Athens School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Misiakos
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Surgery, University of Athens School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macheras
keywords: Abscess; Diverticulitis; Fistula