Incidence and Predictors of Gastrocutaneous Fistula in the Pediatric Patient

Background/Purpose. To determine the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of repair of gastrocutaneous fistulae (GCF) in pediatric patients. Methods. Patients were identified through a medical records search of all gastrostomy insertions performed from 1997–2007. Results. Of 1083 gastrostomies, 49 had GCF closure. Gastrostomy indications were reflux/aspiration (30/43 [70%]) and feeding intolerance/failure to thrive (7/43 [16%]). Gastrostomies were performed as open surgical procedures (84%) with fundoplication (66% of all cases) at an age of 0.5 ± 0.57 (median ± inter-quartile range) years. Gastrostomies were removed in outpatient settings when no longer used and were present for 2.3 ± 2.2 years, and GCF persisted for 2.0 ± 3.0 months. GCF were closed by laparotomy and stapling. GCF closure length of stay was 2.0 ± 3.3 days. Complications occurred in 6/49 patients and included infection/fever (4/6) and localized skin redness/breakdown (2/6). Conclusions. From our collected data, GCFs occur at a frequency of 4.5% and persist for 2.0 ± 3.0 months until closed. Given the complicated medical histories of patients and relatively high rate of postoperative infection/reaction (12.2%), GCF closure is not a benign, “uncomplicated” procedure. Further information describing factors determining which patients develop GCF requiring closure is needed.