Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026

Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Debridement and Drainage for Pancreatic Abscess
Published on: March 15, 2024
Intractable metabolic acidosis in a patient with colovesical fistula
Abstract:
A 58-year-old female presented with urosepsis and faecaluria secondary to a colovesical fistula of diverticular aetiology. A plan was made for surgical repair of the fistula. Preoperatively the patient developed a hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis, with hyperkalaemia and hyponatraemia. Renal function was normal, and a short synachten test ruled out Addison's disease. Postoperatively her acid-base physiology normalised in the absence of medical management, demonstrating that surgical intervention was responsible for resolution of the patient's metabolic acidosis. The mechanisms by which colovesical pathophysiology causes hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis are discussed. Although diverticular disease is the most common cause of colovesical fistulae, this is the first report of such fistulae causing metabolic acidosis.
Related Concept Videos
Diagnosing Acidosis and Alkalosis
First, the pH level is assessed to determine whether the blood pH is normal (7.35–7.45), low (acidosis), or high (alkalosis).
Next, the PCO2 and HCO3− values are examined to...
Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology
Acute Respiratory Failure-III
Disorders of Acid-Base Balance
Respiratory Acidosis and Alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis occurs due to an increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide PCO2 in the blood. It often arises from shallow breathing or impaired gas exchange caused by...
Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction
Diabetic Ketoacidosis ll: Pathophysiology