A Case of Gastrocolic Fistula
Abstract
This report presents a 7-year-old male patient who developed a gastrocolic fistula following blunt abdominal trauma and splenectomy. Post-operative discharge resembling stool from the incision site and symptoms such as foul-smelling eructation, fecaloid vomiting, and weight loss led to suspicion of a fistula. Contrast imaging revealed communication from the colon to the stomach. Surgical exploration confirmed a fistula between the gastric corpus and transverse colon. Both organs were separated, and the fistula openings closed in three layers. Post-operative recovery was successful, with symptom resolution and weight gain. The case is reviewed alongside a discussion of the etiology, diagnosis, and surgical management of gastrocolic fistulas.
Keywords
gastrocolic fistula, peptic ulcer, colon perforation, fistula surgery, post-traumatic complication
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