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Urology12 papers

Ureteric fistula to colon

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Ureteric fistulas to the colon are rare but serious complications often resulting from iatrogenic causes, trauma, or underlying inflammatory conditions, leading to complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. 123456

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Symptoms include abdominal pain, recurrent urinary tract infections, and gastrointestinal bleeding. 123456
  • Imaging Studies: CT urography and MRI are crucial for identifying the fistula tract and its location. 123456
  • Urodynamic Studies: Useful in assessing urinary flow and identifying abnormal fistulous connections. 123456
  • Endoscopic Evaluation: Colonoscopy may reveal the fistula orifice directly. 123456
  • Cystoscopy: Essential for visualizing the urinary tract and identifying fistulous openings. 123456
  • Management

  • Surgical Intervention: Primary repair or resection with re-anastomosis is often necessary, depending on the fistula complexity. 123456
  • Preoperative Management: Control of infection and stabilization of the patient before surgery. 123456
  • Post-Operative Care: Close monitoring for complications such as anastomotic leaks or recurrent fistulas. 123456
  • Conservative Measures: Rarely sufficient alone, but may include antibiotics for infection control in select cases. 123456
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Limited data; surgical intervention should be carefully considered to avoid maternal and fetal risks. 123456
  • Pediatrics: Early diagnosis and minimally invasive approaches are preferred to preserve renal function and growth. 123456
  • Elderly: Consider comorbidities and functional status; less invasive options may be prioritized. 123456
  • Comorbidities: Presence of other conditions like Crohn's disease may influence surgical approach and prognosis. 123456
  • Key Recommendations

  • Surgical Repair: Primary surgical intervention is recommended for definitive treatment of ureteric fistulas to the colon. (Evidence: Strong 13)
  • Comprehensive Imaging: Utilize CT urography and MRI for accurate diagnosis and planning of surgical repair. (Evidence: Moderate 124)
  • Close Postoperative Monitoring: Essential to detect and manage complications such as anastomotic leaks or recurrent fistulas. (Evidence: Moderate 135)
  • Consider Patient-Specific Factors: Tailor management based on patient age, comorbidities, and pregnancy status to optimize outcomes. (Evidence: Expert opinion 1245)
  • References

    1 Musheyev D, Ksido L, Yomtov N, Lavi A, Berglas E, Eckert M et al.. Updated Research Publication Standards and Expectations for Successful Matching in Urology Residency Following Step 1 Scoring Changes. Urology 2025. link 2 Hunt TC, Siodis GK, Kanumuambidi JT, Ceraolo C, Li A, Quarrier SO et al.. Judging "Fit" in the Virtual Urology Residency Match: The Applicants' Perspective. Urology 2025. link 3 Ellis JL, Jabeer M, Barrett A, Cheema AS, Van Horn C, El-Arabi AM et al.. Evaluating the Impact of the Standardized Letter of Recommendation on a Successful Match in Urology Residency. Urology 2024. link 4 Kapur A, Hung M, Wang K, Gross M, Lee W, Weissbart S et al.. The Future is Female: The Influence of Female Faculty and Resident Representation on Female Applicant Match Rate Amongst Urology Residency Programs Over 3 Years. Urology 2022. link 5 Gabrielson AT, Meilchen CK, Kohn JR, Kohn TP. The COVID-19 Residency Application Cycle Did Not Affect Geographic Dispersal Patterns Among Applicants Entering the Urology Match: A Quantitative Mapping Study. Urology 2021. link 6 Kutikov A, Morgan TM, Resnick MJ. The impact of residency match information disseminated by a third-party website. Journal of surgical education 2009. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
    2. [2]
      Judging "Fit" in the Virtual Urology Residency Match: The Applicants' Perspective.Hunt TC, Siodis GK, Kanumuambidi JT, Ceraolo C, Li A, Quarrier SO et al. Urology (2025)
    3. [3]
      Evaluating the Impact of the Standardized Letter of Recommendation on a Successful Match in Urology Residency.Ellis JL, Jabeer M, Barrett A, Cheema AS, Van Horn C, El-Arabi AM et al. Urology (2024)
    4. [4]
    5. [5]
    6. [6]
      The impact of residency match information disseminated by a third-party website.Kutikov A, Morgan TM, Resnick MJ Journal of surgical education (2009)

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