Bletilla striata promotes the healing of enterocutaneous fistula: A case report

RATIONALE: Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) has long been difficult to treat in clinical settings. The current approaches, including surgery, antibiotics, and nutritional support, cannot achieve satisfactory outcomes. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 54-year-old man presented with intermittent discharge of purulent material from the fistula of an umbilical incision post colon surgery. His symptoms did not improve after receipt of antibiotic and surgical treatment. DIAGNOSIS: The patient's symptoms, radiographic findings, and pathological examination led to a diagnosis of ECF. INTERVENTIONS: Sterilized Bletilla striata was injected into the fistula once every 3 days for a total of 6 doses. OUTCOMES: The ECF completely healed, and the patient was symptom-free after 1 month. LESSONS: The patient's pronounced improvement and the merit of this easy-to-perform low-cost method suggest that Bletilla striata may be used by surgeons for the treatment of chronic abdominal wall fistulas.