Entero-enteric fistula from the stump of an end-to-side ileocolic anastomosis mimicking cancer recurrence

Enteric fistulae are a complex and technically frustrating complication of any bowel surgery. The constellation of associated non-specific symptoms often leads to extensive investigation and, in this case, suspicion of disease recurrence. A 71-year-old gentleman with a history of previous colorectal cancer presented with chronic diarrhoea, weight loss and left lower quadrant pain. Elective exploratory laparoscopy was performed to investigate possible disease recurrence due to elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels and a positron emission tomography positive area within the mesentery. A jejunal-ileal fistula was found at laparotomy where the blind ileal stump of the end-to-side ileocolic anastomosis had fistulated into the jejunum. Resection of the affected jejunum was performed with end-to-end jejuno-jejunal re-anastomosis and stapling of the ileal stump. Specimen histology was negative for recurrence. Intestinal fistulae represent a diagnostic challenge. This is the first case report describing an enteric fistula mimicking cancer recurrence.