Gastrojejunocolic fistula following surgery for peptic ulcer complications: two case reports

Two patients were admitted in the surgical unit--I of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital on January 2001 and March 2001 with the complaints of epigastric pain and discomfort, feculent eructation and fecal vomiting, diarrhoea with lienteric stools, weight loss and weakness. Both of them had previous history ulcer complications. The diagnoses of gastrojejunocolic fistula were made on the basis of history, barium enema examination and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Early resuscitation with correction of nutritional deficiencies, fluid and electrolyte imbalance was attempted along with blood transfusion, antibiotics and other supportive measures. But the first patient was too ill to cope up with the treatment and developed cardio-respiratory symptoms. A single stage procedure comprising of partial gastrectomy along with resection of the fistula and restoration of bowel continuity (by jejunojejunostomy, colocolostomy and closure of duodenal stump) was adopted in both patients. Early postoperative recovery was good in both but the first patient expired on 8th postoperative day from acute myocardial infarction, while the second one developed anastomotic leakage and wound infection, which were managed conservatively. On follow up the second patient was found in sound health till to date after his discharge from the hospital.