High-output external fistulae of the small bowel: Management with continuous enteral nutrition

Abstract

Three hundred and thirty-five patients with high-output enterocutaneous fistulae arising from the small intestine are reported. Median fistula output was 1350 ml/24 h. Eighty-two per cent of patients were referred from other institutions. The fistula opening was associated with evisceration in 165 cases (49 per cent). One or more severity factors were present in 75.5 per cent of the patients. Patients were divided into three groups according to their initial therapy: 21 patients (6 per cent) referred in a moribund state were not operated on (non-intervention); 80 patients (24 per cent) were operated on as an emergency, and the fistula was either exteriorized or defunctioned; 234 patients (70 per cent) were initially managed conservatively. Appropriate local care and nutrition were provided in all cases. Enteral nutrition was the exclusive nutritional support in 285 patients (85 per cent). In 92 cases with proximal fistulae, methods limiting the fistula output or allowing reinfusion of chyme were required. The overall mortality rate was 34 per cent: 100 per cent in the non-intervention group, 55 per cent after emergency surgery, and 19 per cent after conservative treatment. In the latter group, spontaneous closure was obtained in 88 patients (38 per cent). Overall mortality rate was reduced to 19 per cent in patients treated since 1980. Enteral nutrition with appropriate local care may be used in the majority of high-output enterocutaneous fistulae, with an acceptable rate of spontaneous closure. Conservative management is the treatment of choice in the initial period. Emergency surgery should be restricted to the treatment of haemorrhage or intra-abdominal abscesses associated with uncontrolled systemic sepsis.

Enterocutaneous Fistulas: A Look at Causes and Management

“…Careful monitoring of the character and volume of output of a fistula can guide resuscitation and nutrition support efforts. There have been several series studying the relationships between output and mortality as well as likelihood of spontaneous closure suggesting increased mortality and decreased spontaneous closure rate in high output fistulas [13,[16][17][18][19]. Other physiological factors that predict spontaneous fistula closure include a well-maintained nutritional status and absence of sepsis (Table 3).…”

Small bowel enterocutaneous fistulae: the merits of early surgery

“…At present, the treatment of patients with an abdominal wall defect in which a fi stula develops in the exposed intestine is probably the biggest challenge [8]. The few retrospective studies available in the literature concerning these patients are either incomplete or only describe small numbers [9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

Small bowel enterocutaneous fistulae: is waiting worth?

“…Surgical closure rates were better than spontaneous closure rates in patients receiving enteral nutrition alone. 13 Closure rates were higher in patients with albumin level ≥3.0gm/dl. Surgical closure rates were higher than spontaneous closure rates in both populations.…”