Gastrocolic fistula as a complication of benign gastric ulcer: report of four cases and update of the literature.

Four cases of gastrocolic fistula complicating benign gastric ulcer are described, bringing the total number of individually reviewed cases in the English language literature to 108. A review of 30 cases reported in the past 10 years reveals a surprisingly high percentage of young, female patients. Three-quarters of these patients used steroidal or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The presence of such fistulae is suspected in patients complaining of weight loss, diarrhoea and faecal vomiting. Small fistulae may not be suspected when overshadowed by other complications of ulcer disease such as bleeding or perforated viscus. Medical management of benign gastrocolic fistulae may be indicated in some circumstances. Surgical treatment involves en bloc resection, including the fistula, and surrounding colon and gastric segments.