Colocutaneous fistula following Clostridioides difficile infection managed as an ‘autocolostomy’: a novel approach to a recognised complication
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Marriam Ahmed; Anthony Kawesha; Kiran Randhawa; Akinfemi Ayobami Akingboye
- Source
- BMJ Case Rep
- Subject
- medicine.medical_specialty
Additional Surgical Procedure
business.industry
Colorectal cancer
Fistula
General surgery
Stoma care
Case Report
General Medicine
030230 surgery
medicine.disease
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
medicine
030211 gastroenterology & hepatology
Colocutaneous fistula
Colitis
business
Complication
Clostridioides
- Language
- ISSN
- 1757-790X
Colocutaneous fistula is a rare entity in colorectal disease. We present a case of colocutaneous fistula in a patient whose postoperative course following a laparoscopic anterior resection for sigmoid cancer was complicated by Clostridioides difficile colitis. During the follow-up period, it was found that his bowel contents were preferentially discharging through this fistula which had taken up the role of an ‘autocolostomy’. Given the physiological impact of an additional surgical procedure, a definitive repair of the fistula was deferred and instead the patient was taught to manage it in keeping with general principles of stoma care. Over the subsequent follow-up period, he has now developed a large parastomal hernia and is being considered for definitive repair.