Surgical management of ECF is safe and improving. Fistula healing is affected by aetiology, comorbidity and source of referral. The scoring system has the potential to predict ECF healing and can be a useful clinical decision-making tool.

Somatostatin and octreotide increase the likelihood of fistula closure. Both are beneficial in reducing the time to fistula closure. Neither has an effect on mortality. The risk ratio (RR) for somatostatin was higher than the RR for analogues. This may suggest that somatostatin could be better than analogues in relation to the number of fistulas closed and time to closure. Further studies are required to corroborate these apparent findings.

Somatostatin is a naturally occurring peptide hormone. It has an inhibitory effect on gastrointestinal secretion (1) . Enterocutaneous fistulas (ECF) are abnormal communications between the gastrointestinal tract and the skin. Although rare, they are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Death related to ECF remains disproportionately high when compared with other surgical conditions. Mortality rates for ECF range from 6-33% (2) . Several randomised control trials (RCT) and studies have compared somatostatin and its analogues versus a control group in patients with ECF. The objective of this study is to meta-analyse the literature and establish if somatostatin and its analogues have a beneficial effect on ECF closure.Comparative studies investigating the use of somatostatin and its analogues in the management of ECF were identified between January 1987 and March 2011. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane and PubMed databases according to PRISMA guidelines (3) . Seventy nine articles were screened. Nine RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.1. For continuous data (time to closure of fistulas), the Inverse-Variance method was used for the combination of standardised mean differences (SMD). Binary data (number of fistulas closed and mortality) were summarised as risk ratios (RR) and combined using the Mantel-Haenszel method. 141 patients were in the analogue group with 147 controls. 82 patients were in the somatostatin group with 85 controls.In comparing somatostatin analogues with control, six RCT reported on number of fistula closed. No significant heterogeneity was present and a significant number of ECF closed in the control group (n = 77/155) compared to analogue (n = 100 / This meta-analysis suggests that somatostatin but not octreotide increases the likelihood of fistula closure. However both are beneficial in reducing the time to fistula closure. Neither has an effect on mortality.

Our case and review of the literature highlights the rarity of this clinical sign which a clinician may encounter. In addition we draw to attention the importance of having knowledge of the underlying possible conditions which may lead to this sign, and can be vital in successful acute management.

This study reveals results which provide evidence for the potential use of anti-TNF-α agents in the treatment of non-IBD ECF. A pilot study to evaluate this treatment as an alternative option in an already surgically challenging group of patients is planned. Positive findings would be a major medical advance with a new use for anti-TNF-α agents.

BackgroundEnterocutaneous fistulas (ECF) are debilitating and usually result following complex abdominal surgery. While there is an association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a large number of fistulas occur after surgery not related to IBD. The consequences of ECF include short bowel syndrome and the need for long term parenteral nutrition.ECF can heal spontaneously and in the case of IBD can be cured by medical therapy in some instances. Those that do not resolve spontaneously have to be cured by surgery which is complex and associated with a high morbidity. It is not considered traditional treatment to use the same medical therapy as in IBD to cure ECF caused by other conditions.A small case series has reported three patients with persistent ECF not related to IBD to have healed following use of Infliximab which is the treatment commonly used for ECF caused by IBD. Infliximab acts by inhibiting the activity of the inflammatory cytokine TNF- alpha. It is not known if this cytokine is present in ECF tissue in the absence of IBD.The aim of this study is to demonstrate the presence of inflammatory markers in tissue surrounding non-IBD ECF and in particular to quantify the presence of the cytokine TNF- alpha. We hypothesise that TNF - alpha levels are raised in non-IBD ECF.Methods/DesignTissue and serum from ECF of IBD and non-IBD patients will be prospectively collected at St. Mark's Hospital Intestinal Failure Unit. The control group will consist of patients undergoing colonoscopy for bowel cancer screening, with normal findings. Biopsies of the terminal ileum will be obtained from this group during colonoscopy. The fistula tract and serum cytokine profiles of interleukins (IL)-1a, IL-1b, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF- alpha, IFN-y, MCP-1, EGF and VEGF will be assessed.DiscussionThis study aims to assess the presence or absence of TNF- alpha expression in the ECF tissue in non-IBD origin. If our hypothesis is correct we would then be able to study the use of the TNF- alpha inhibitor Infliximab as a therapeutic option in the treatment of non-IBD ECF. Secondary aims include assessing the spectrum of inflammatory cytokines and markers present in tissue and serum of non-IBD ECF when compared with IBD ECF and normal controls.Trial registrationISRCTN44000447

Dieulafoy lesion is a rare cause of massive gastrointestinal haemorrhage that can be fatal. We report a case of a sixty-year-old lady who presented to the emergency department with haematemesis and melaena. During oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD), an active bleeding vessel was seen on the lesser curvature of the stomach, near the gastro-oesophageal junction and a diagnosis of Dieulafoy's lesion made. The lesion was managed with the application of two rubber bands. Our patient re-presented to the emergency department ten days later with severe haematemesis requiring an emergency laparotomy.A search of the entire English literature using PubMed with the phrase 'Dieulafoy' has been performed. Papers were reviewed in relation to management of this lesion with rubber banding via endoscopy. The current available haemostatic methods are described.