A fistula of the gastropleural opening is a pathological anastomosis between the stomach and the pleural cavity, resulting from trauma, during surgery, or as a result of a long process of purulent inflammation in the abdominal cavity. If for some reason the hole is not cleared of mucus and pus, it closes. In this case, a channel is formed through which the contents of the stomach exit, penetrating into the pleural cavity. The patient begins to feel the presence of an unpleasant odor immediately after eating, when lifting a weight above shoulder level. This causes dyspeptic disorders and severe gas formation in the intestines, overflow of gastric juice, loss of appetite, nausea, headache and weakness.
In clinical practice, fistulas are found quite rarely. The clinical picture of the disease has characteristic symptoms that make it possible to determine the presence of this type of pathology: - gases are released through the gastrointestinal tract, emitting an unpleasant odor from the mouth; - belching of air and acid with a burning sensation in the throat; - stomach discomfort from indigestion; - nausea, possible vomiting of bile, diarrhea with black stools; - patients complain of pain in the epigastrium and epigastric region; - high temperature, which can be a symptom of inflammation. Sometimes the absence of visible signs is accompanied by a general feeling of poor health. With prolonged development of the fistula, a person loses weight too quickly, extreme weakness and anemia occur. The formation of stones, the accumulation of pus and the penetration of pathogenic bacteria lead to acute symptoms and abdominal colic. Prolonged fistula contributes to the manifestation of symptoms of intoxication throughout the body, including heart and pulmonary failure.