Postoperative enterocutaneous fistulas: Management outcomes in 23 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND: About 75%–85% of enterocutaneous fistulas are postoperative. Such fistulas are still disastrous and frustrating complication for surgeon and the patient and their management remains one of major challenge and dilemma in general surgical practice. Strict adherence to treatment guideline according to SOWATS protocol could results in better outcomes. THE OBJECTIVE: of this study was to assess the management outcomes of 23 patients with postoperative enterocutaneous fistulas. METHODS: A total of 23 consecutive patients with postoperative enterocutaneous fistulas during the period of study were included. These fistulas were classified anatomically and physiologically. The predictive factors for spontaneous closure, management outcomes and mortality rate factors for were studied. RESULTS: Overall Closure of the fistulas was accomplished in 16 patients (69.6%). Spontaneous closure after successful conservative management was seen in 4 patients (17.4%). The average time between fistula development and spontaneous closure was 32 days (range12–66 days). Of 19 patients underwent corrective surgery, closure was achieved in 12 patients (52.2%), thus the surgical success rate was 63.2%. Surgical intervention was performed after an average period of 28 days (range 18–42 days) from diagnosis of the fistula. Five patients with high output (21.7%) died because of sepsis, severe malnutrition and organ failure. CONCLUSION: adherence to standardized protocol and multidisciplinary approach of patients with enterocutaneous fistulas could results in good outcomes. A reasonable period of conservative treatment is always required to optimize patient's general conditions and for spontaneous closure of fistula. Operative correction is usually required for proximal high output and complex fistulas. The complexity of the fistulas, sepsis, high output effluent and comorbidities are the main factors affecting healing rates and fistula related mortality.