Enterovesical Fistula(Archived)

Excerpt

A fistula is an abnormal connection between two epithelial surfaces. There are some exceptions to this definition, like when the surfaces are not epithelial, as in the endothelial surfaces of vascular fistulae or in the connection of gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa to a wound where no epithelial surface is included. An enterovesical fistula is an abnormal communication between the intestine and the bladder. The organ of origin of the fistula is usually stated first. Therefore, in enterovesical fistulas, the fistula usually begins in the intestine and ends in the bladder. However, the fistulization process can originate in the bladder wall and terminate in the intestine or other luminal structures. Most known and clinically encountered fistulae arise from the bowel.

The term bowel generally refers to the small intestine. It is used interchangeably in the literature to refer to all intestinal (small and large) fistulas to the urinary bladder. More specific terms are also used, including jejunovesical, ileovesical, colovesical, sigmoid vesical, or rectovesical fistulae, to indicate the particular part of the intestine involved in the fistulae. Since colovesical fistula is by far the most common fistula between the intestine and the bladder, most of the content of this article will apply to colovesical fistula unless it is otherwise indicated.