[Stelzner self-healing cecal fistula--course of healing and complications]

A retrospective study of 83 patients who underwent caecal fistula as described by Stelzner during the five-year period between 1979 to 1984 was carried out. 26 fistulas were performed after low anterior resection, 54 after anterior resection and 3 after left hemicolectomy. In 10.8% the operative closure of the fistula was necessary. An anastomotic insufficiency could be recognized clinically in 3.8%. The overall complication rate was 21.7%. The caecal fistula seems to be an effective procedure with a lower complication rate than the temporary colostomy.