Management of colovesical fistulae associated with pelvic malignancy

Thirteen patients with malignant colovesical fistulae are presented. The underlying pathology was cancer of the colon (seven cases), bladder (four cases) and cervix (two cases). The series demonstrates that wide surgical excision may be needed to achieve tumour clearance and that this may necessitate pelvic exenteration. Three patients who underwent inadequate tumour excision developed recurrence in the bladder, two with a fatal outcome. Wide excision of the bladder may be performed without urinary diversion by subtotal cystectomy and a reconstructive procedure. Substitution cystoplasty was performed on two patients at the time of tumour excision. Urinary tract involvement by such tumours is often extensive and optimal results may be achieved with a multidisciplinary approach.