A fistula is known in the medical field as an abnormal communication between two epithelial surfaces. This abnormal communication can result as a complication of a disease or surgical intervention. The naming of the fistula follows the two surfaces or lumens it connects. A cholecysto-cutaneous fistula is, therefore, abnormal communication between the gallbladder and the skin. Similarly, entero-cutaneous fistula is an abnormal communication between the small bowel and the skin.
Cholecysto-cutaneous fistula is a rare clinical entity in the surgical practice, nowadays. Reports of spontaneous cholecysto-cutaneous fistulae occurring as early as the 17th century were registered. The condition develops as a result of a complication from neglected calculous cholecystitis. However, it occurs extremely infrequently in the current surgical practice. With the advancement in diagnostic imaging, biliary tract diseases are diagnosed early nowadays. The availability of efficient and safe surgical treatment made the complication like fistula extremely uncommon.
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