Diagnosis and treatment of colovesical fistulas

A review of the symptoms and signs as well as preoperative investigations was made in 12 patients with proved colovesical fistulas. The symptoms were predominantly those of the lower urinary tract. The value of barium enema, cystogram, cystoscopy and sigmoidoscopy was pointed out. Treatment consisted of a combined treatment with colostomy and indwelling bladder catheter, primary closure of the fistula only and various staged procedures with bowel resection. We emphasize the value of the one-stage procedure in the uncomplicated case.