[Controlled stomach fistula for acute operated ulcer. Case report]

The authors analyze the case of a 65 old woman which was hospitalized for sigmoidian stenosant and haemorrhagical neoplasm, confined to the colic wall, without peritoneal or hepatic metastases, and without peritoneal or parietal invasion. Surgical management included sigmoidectomy and termino-terminal anastomosis for reconstructing intestinal transit followed by peritoneal drainage. In early postoperative stage the aspect of generalized peritonitis occurs and there is suspicion of anastomotic fistulae. On surgery, acute and perforated gastric ulcer is found, located in close vicinity to the cardia, on the anterior side of the stomach. Suture of the perforation is undertaken with drainage of the peritoneal cavity, but successfully because fistulization of the sutured perforation followed. Under the given circumstances controlled drainage of the gastric fistulae was carried out, using a Folley probe extended through the fistulae orifice and through the anterior abdominal wall, lateral to the median incision. The blowing of the intragastric balloon and the setting into tension of the gastric wall to the front abdominal wall allowed the sealing of the fistulae route but it took about three months. This technical contrivance has afforded good postoperative evolution and recovery of the patient, who after five years from surgery is in a good condition and has no subjective complaints.