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

ABSTRACT

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.