Colocutaneous fistula complicating sigmoid diverticulitis

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. (C) 2011 Surgical Associates Ltd. Elsevier Ltd. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.