AIM:To compare the outcomes of conservative vs sur gical treatment of enterocutaneous fistulae (ECF) in a community teaching hospital over a decade.
METHODS:All cases of ECF between 1997 and 2007 were reviewed for management strategy.
RESULTS:Of the 83 patients with ECF, 60 (72%) were postoperative. Sixtysix patients (79.5%) were treated initially with conservative measures. Eighteen patients failed to respond to conservative treatment and required later (secondary) exploration; this group consisted of an equal number of low vs high output fistulae. Seventeen (20.5%) patients underwent initial (primary) definitivesurgery secondary to anastomotic leak and peritonitis. Surgical procedures included resection of ECF with anastomosis (24), exclusion (6) and directdrainage (4). No significant difference was seen in the recurrence rate for conservative (10%) vs operativetreatment (20%).
CONCLUSION:Conservative treatment plays a pivotal role as an initial management in both low and high out put fistulae. In selective cases only, early primary explo ration is recommended.
Tension-free, open-mesh, inguinal herniorrhaphies have gained wide acceptance. Current mesh techniques reinforcing the internal ring do not provide a comfortable lay to the mesh. To address this, we used the internal ring occlusion and floor support (IROFS) technique. A retrospective review was undertaken of all hernias operated on with the IROFS technique from January 2001 to December 2006. Five hundred twenty-five inguinal hernia repairs were done in 477 male patients. Telephone questionnaires looking into their postoperative course and recurrence were recorded. We contacted 275 (58%) patients. Patients’ ages ranged from 29 to 81 years (mean, 57 years). The hernia was indirect in 50 per cent (n = 146), direct in 35 per cent (n = 102), or both in 15 per cent (n = 44) of patients. The average operative time was 40 minutes. Acute wound pain lasted for less than 1 week in 55 per cent (n = 151) and for 1 to 2 weeks in 24 per cent (n = 66). Postoperative analgesic requirement was less than 1 week in 54 per cent (n = 147) and 1 to 2 weeks in 27 per cent (n = 74). Most patients returned to their daily activities in 2 weeks (75%) and to work in 3 weeks (74%). Chronic pain lasted for 6 to 48 months (mean, 20 months) in only seven patients. No recurrence of hernia was observed during follow-up visits (range, 26-96 months; mean, 53 months). In conclusion, IROFS can be performed with little difficulty, is cost-effective, and is well tolerated by the patient.
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