[Spontaneous cholecystocolonic fistulas. Presentation of 5 cases]

From 1979 to 1987, 5 patients with cholecystocolonic fistula were operated on in our service, which represents 25% of a total of 20 external biliodigestive fistulas complied over this period. Admission was as an emergency in 4 of the 5 patients (80%), and in one for elective programmed surgery. External biliodigestive fistula was suspected in 3 patients (60%) and biliocolonic fistula in one (20%), on observing aerobilia and leakage of contrast into the hepatic angle of the colon. On two occasions (40%) associated choledocholithiasis was detected, by means of echographic study in one case and intraoperative cholangiography in the other. Antecedents of biliary pathology were present in 3 of our 5 observations (60%), with a mean time of evolution of 12 years.