ABSTRACT
A fistula is an abnormal communication between two epithelialized surfaces. Vesicoenteric fistulae, also known as enterovesical or intestinovesical fistulae, occur between the bowel and the bladder. Vesicoenteric fistulae can be divided into four primary categories based on the bowel segment involved, as follows: (1) colovesical, (2) rectovesical, (3) ileovesical, and (4) appendicovesical fistulae. Normally, the urinary system is separated completely from the alimentary canal. Connections can occur as a result of (1) incomplete separation of the two systems during embryonic development (e.g. failure of the urorectal septum to divide the common cloaca), (2) infection, (3) inflammatory conditions, (4) cancer, (5) injury or (6) iatrogenically as a result of surgical misadventures.
