Laparoscopic surgery for sigmoidocutaneous fistula due to diverticulitis: A case report

Sigmoidocutaneous fistulas due to sigmoid colon diverticulitis are very rare. Here we report a case in which laparoscopic sigmoidectomy was used to successfully treat a sigmoidocutaneous fistula due to diverticulitis. A 41-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of redness and swelling of the left inguinal skin. Enhanced abdominal CT revealed a subcutaneous abscess in the left lower abdomen. Percutaneous drainage was performed, and fistulography revealed a fistula between the sigmoid colon and left inguinal skin. Therefore, a sigmoidocutaneous fistula was diagnosed, and laparoscopic sigmoidectomy and fistulectomy were performed. The sigmoid colon had several diverticula, and a pathological examination revealed that the sigmoidocutaneous fistula was due to diverticulitis. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 8. In cases of sigmoidocutaneous fistula, laparoscopic treatment can be safely performed.