Fistula between a total hip arthroplasty and the rectum - A case report

An 81-year-old man was referred to the authors for examination of the gastr ointestinal tract. A proctoscopy revealed a draining sinus tract in the ter minal rectum, Plain radiographs revealed a failed total hip arthroplasty th at had migrated into the pelvis. Hip aspiration revealed an infection with bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract. A fistulogram confir med a connection between the rectum and the hip replacement. The developmen t of a fistula between the colon and the hip is extremely uncommon. A fistu la between the hip and the rectum is a previously unreported complication o f total hip arthroplasty.