[Urodigestive fistulae: the diagnosis and treatment of 76 cases]

Urodigestive fistulas are secondary complications of inflammatory, traumatic or neoplastic disease and can occasionally be difficult to diagnose, although the typical symptoms of pneumaturia and fecaluria should make the urologist and surgeon suspect the presence of a fistula, determine its etiology and location. The present study reviews our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology.

We reviewed the records of 76 patients with urodigestive fistula that had been diagnosed and treated over a period of 23 years. The form of presentation, usefulness of the diagnostic techniques and treatment options were analyzed.

The location was vesicointestinal in 52 cases, rectourethral in 19, renointestinal in 4 and urethrointestinal in 1.