Round worm infestation as a cause of small bowel anastomotic breakdown following urinary diversion for cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND

Vesicovaginal fistulae are well-recognized complications of radiotherapy for the treatment of cervical cancer. These patients often require some form of urinary diversion. Small bowel is often utilized for these purposes.

CASE: A patient with stage IIB cervical cancer presented with a vesicovaginal fistula 6 years post-radiotherapy. An ileal conduit was performed. On day 9 post-surgery breakdown of the small bowel anastomosis was suspected. At laparotomy small bowel anastomotic breakdown was confirmed with round worms at the anastomotic site.

CONCLUSION

Perforation of small bowel by round worm has been previously described in a patient with Meckel' s diverticulum. This report describes an unusual cause of small bowel anastomotic breakdown following urinary diversion.