Closure of a benign gastrocolic fistula on medical management

Singapore Med J. 1994 Aug;35(4):423-5.

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cimetidine / administration & dosage
  • Cimetidine / therapeutic use*
  • Colonic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Colonic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Colonic Diseases / therapy*
  • Colonoscopy
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastric Fistula / diagnosis
  • Gastric Fistula / drug therapy
  • Gastric Fistula / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Intestinal Fistula / diagnosis
  • Intestinal Fistula / drug therapy
  • Intestinal Fistula / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parenteral Nutrition*
  • Stomach Ulcer / drug therapy
  • Stomach Ulcer / therapy

Substances

  • Cimetidine