A systematic literature review on the use of vacuum assisted closure for enterocutaneous fistula

Analyse of patient characteristics and aetiological causes of enterocutaneous fistulas and their impacts on in-hospital mortality: a ten-year retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to compare patient characteristics according to the primary aetiology including gunshot wounds in inpatient individuals diagnosed with enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) or enteroatmospheric fistula (EAF) and to evaluate the impacts of these characteristics on all-cause in-hospital mortality.

METHODS

This is a single-centre hospital-based retrospective cohort study conducted with adult patients who were hospitalised for treatment of ECF or EAF. The patients were allocated to three study groups according to their primary aetiology (surgery-related group, gunshot-related group and other-cause group). The demographics and clinical features of the patients were compared between the study groups, furthermore, the impacts of these characteristics on in-hospital mortality were evaluated using Cox Regression Analysis.

RESULTS

Gunshot-related fistulas were more likely to originate from small intestines, whereas surgery-related fistulas originated from all anatomic sites and those related to other aetiologies often originated from large intestines (p = 0.006). Severe malnutrition was more prevalent in the other-cause group (26.1%) (p < 0.001). Sepsis occurred in 24.3%, 68.8% and 47.8% of the patients (p = 0.008); and the median length of stay was 18.0, 45.0 and 32.0 days (p = 0.025) in the surgery-related group, the gunshot-related group, and the other-cause group, respectively. While the surgery-related and gunshot-related groups had similar and low mortality rates (2.7% and 6.7%, respectively), patients with other reasons had the highest mortality (30.4%). The increase in the duration of output (DOO) was associated with decreased mortality [HR (95%CI): 0.55 (0.39-0.79) p = 0.001], whereas being severely malnourished and having an aetiology of other causes were associated with increased mortality [HR (95%CI): 25.29 (5.20-123.09) and p < 0.001, and HR (95%CI): 9.06 (1.11-73.86) and p = 0.040, respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

Patient characteristics, clinical manifestations and treatment approach may differ according to primary aetiology in patients with ECF or EAF. Primary aetiology, the decrease in DOO and severe malnourishment have negative impacts on in-hospital mortality.

Surgical approach for a refractory enterocutaneous fistula by combining laparoscopic surgery and a planned open conversion: a case report

BACKGROUND

An enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is defined as an abnormal communication between the gastrointestinal tract and skin. ECFs are rarely encountered in clinical practice, yet are frequently difficult to treat. Few reports exist regarding the surgical techniques for the treatment of an ECF. Therefore, we report a case of refractory ECF with concomitant severe adhesions, in which we performed combined laparoscopic adhesiolysis and planned open conversion.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 57-year-old female patient underwent a laparotomy for an ovarian cyst in her 20s. At 46 years, adhesiolysis without bowel resection was performed for adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO). However, her symptoms did not improve. Eighteen days postoperatively, she underwent a reoperation and jejunostomy. An ECF developed post-reoperation; therefore, stoma closure and radical surgery for the ECF were planned. Due to the severe adhesions, only stoma closure was performed, based on intraoperative assessments. The patient was subsequently referred to our hospital. First, skin care around the fistula was provided during an outpatient visit. Appropriate sizing of the stoma pouch was performed, to improve erosions and ulcers. Thereafter, debridement of the perifistula skin and simple closure of the ECF outlet were attempted; however, the ECF recurred shortly thereafter. After 8 years of regular skin care, with the ECF remaining stable, however, manifesting as symptomatic SBO, she underwent laparoscopic adhesiolysis. This procedure was initiated in the epigastric region, where relatively fewer adhesions were anticipated. Post-open conversion, partial resection of the small intestine at four locations, including the fistula site, was performed. Postoperatively, jejunal edema and peristaltic dysfunction, due to narrowing of the superior mesenteric artery occurred. Regular drainage by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was required. However, she improved and was discharged 3 months post-operatively. Three years post-operatively, the ECF and SBO did not recur.

CONCLUSIONS

We reported a case of refractory ECF in which we were able to safely perform surgery, by combining laparoscopic adhesiolysis and a planned open conversion. Therefore, the surgical approach used in this case may be an option for securing a safe surgical field, while avoiding collateral damage.

Spontaneous enteroatmospheric fistula in a patient with COVID-19 disease

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease patients present with upper respiratory symptoms; however, these patients may show gastrointestinal symptoms on arrival at the hospital. This finding requires an abdominal physical examination and imaging for 33% of patients. Enteroatmospheric fistulas (EAF) may form a connection between the external environment and the gastrointestinal tract and usually presents various difficulties in controlling the disease without surgical intervention. Its management requires a high level of clinical expertise to control and treat the fistula. In this case report, spontaneous EAF and its management are presented in a 65-year-old morbidly obese female patient who spontaneously had EAF during her hospitalization for COVID-19.

The management of postoperative upper alimentary tract fistulas: A single-center experience of endoscopic tissue glue repair and recommendations of a systematic review

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The appropriate management of postoperative upper alimentary tract fistula (UATF) remains uncertain. The efficacy of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) tissue glue repair in the treatment of patients with postoperative UATF was explored. We also conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding the inpatient management of UATF.

METHODS

Totally 24 patients received EGD tissue glue repair for postoperative UATF at our institute from April 2014 to April 2020. Independent characteristics of size of fistula, location of the UATF, complications, and recurrences were analyzed. PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were reviewed. A pooled analysis was performed, and subgroup analysis was conducted separately for different anatomic locations and techniques.

RESULTS

With a mean follow-up of 40 months, the fistula failed to close with EGD tissue glue repair in 2 of 24 patients (8.3%). Eight patients required repeated EGD tissue glue repair, which was more frequent in oral or thoracic UATF (p = 0.053), but all achieved a successful seal in the EGD tissue after glue repair alone (n = 22). The fistula size was correlated with the demand for repeated EGD tissue glue repair (p = 0.017). Besides, a total of 30 studies regarding 2356 cases of postoperative UATF between 2010 and 2021 were retrieved and analyzed. Several non-operative methods were generally accepted as the initial approach, with a non-inferior success rate compared to operative techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that no single approach toward UATF is superior in terms of success rate and healing time. The potential advantages of EGD tissue glue repair after drainage were more suitable for patients with postoperative UATF and multiple comorbidities.

Open Abdomen Negative Pressure Device Applied for Two-stage Closure of Enterocutaneous Fistula

Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF), which is an abnormal connection between the gastrointestinal tract and skin, is a serious complication of abdominal surgery, and a multidisciplinary approach is required for its treatment. Here, we report the case of a 46-year-old woman who had a large ECF measuring 6 × 12 cm that was successfully treated with a 2-stage surgery. After the first surgery of intestinal wall reconstruction, an abdominal negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device was administered to facilitate the reexploration of the abdominal cavity. On postoperative day 5, intestinal perforation and abdominal cavity infection were found during dressing change and were immediately repaired. Subsequently, after 10 days of abdominal NPWT, the second surgery comprising abdominal wall reconstruction was performed using a pedicled anterolateral thigh flap (8 × 19 cm) combined with the fascia lata (12 × 20 cm). The defective rectus sheath and skin were uneventfully closed with the fascia lata and flap skin paddle, respectively. In the follow-up after 7 months, ECF had not recurred. The abdominal NPWT device enabled easy reentry of the abdominal cavity and reduced the size of the flap needed to cover the defect. Moreover, open abdominal management can be performed consistently, independent of the surgeon’s expertise. Therefore, this report suggests that 2-stage surgery with abdominal NPWT management is a useful strategy for ECF treatment.

The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland consensus guidelines in emergency colorectal surgery

AIM

There is a requirement for an expansive and up to date review of the management of emergency colorectal conditions seen in adults. The primary objective is to provide detailed evidence-based guidelines for the target audience of general and colorectal surgeons who are responsible for an adult population and who practise in Great Britain and Ireland.

METHODS

Surgeons who are elected members of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland Emergency Surgery Subcommittee were invited to contribute various sections to the guidelines. They were directed to produce a pathology-based document using literature searches that were systematic, comprehensible, transparent and reproducible. Levels of evidence were graded. Each author was asked to provide a set of recommendations which were evidence-based and unambiguous. These recommendations were submitted to the whole guideline group and scored. They were then refined and submitted to a second vote. Only those that achieved >80% consensus at level 5 (strongly agree) or level 4 (agree) after two votes were included in the guidelines.

RESULTS

All aspects of care (excluding abdominal trauma) for emergency colorectal conditions have been included along with 122 recommendations for management.

CONCLUSION

These guidelines provide an up to date and evidence-based summary of the current surgical knowledge in the management of emergency colorectal conditions and should serve as practical text for clinicians managing colorectal conditions in the emergency setting.

[Features and choice of surgical strategy in patients with gastrointestinal fistulas]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the features and choice of surgical strategy in patients with gastrointestinal fistula based on classification of their types.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

There were 398 patients with gastrointestinal fistula. Fistula type 1 was found in 126 (31.7%) cases, type 2 - 38 (9.6%) cases, type 3 - 73 (18.3%) cases, type 4 - 26 (6.5%) patients, type 5 - 135 (33.9%) cases. One-stage and two-stage treatment was applied in patients with fistula type 1, two-stage treatment only - for fistula type 2. In patients with fistula type 3, treatment strategy depended on timing of fistula formation, its level and amount of intestinal chymus loss. In case of fistula type 4, radical treatment is difficult. However, surgery is safer when adhesions between intestinal loops are not yet dense enough. Indeed, dissection is associated with less risk of their damage. Reconstructive procedures were applied for fistula type 5 depending on its localization.

RESULTS

The causes of gastrointestinal fistula were complications after surgery for acute ileus in 73 patients (17 ones died), blunt abdominal trauma in 81 (8), open abdominal trauma with cold weapons in 39 (6) and firearms in 11 cases (2), mesenteric thrombosis in 33 patients (8), pancreatic necrosis in 25 cases (9), abdominal hernia in 15 cases (4), acute appendicitis in 40 patients (3), colonic diverticulosis in 24 patients (1), urological diseases in 5 cases, colon perforation by a foreign body in 3 cases, colonoscopy in 5 patients, Hirschsprung's disease in 2 patients, Crohn's disease in 11 cases (3), colon polyps in 4 patients, intestinal tuberculosis in 1 case (1), small bowel resection for obesity in 1 patient and gynecological diseases in 25 patients (2). Fistulas type 1 and 4 were followed by the highest postoperative mortality since these interventions are associated with the most severe changes in abdominal cavity. Low mortality was observed in patients with fistula type 5, no abdominal inflammation and normalized intestinal passage. The overall mortality in patients with gastrointestinal fistulas was 16.1%.

CONCLUSION

Treatment strategy in patients with gastrointestinal fistula primarily depends on the type of fistula that requires emergency, urgent, delayed or reconstructive surgery. Staged approach in patients with gastrointestinal fistulas can improve treatment outcomes.

Improvised vacuum assisted closure dressing for enterocutenous fistula, a case report

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Enterocutaneous fistula is a postoperative complication is 75–80% of the cases that results in metabolic complications.

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Management of this complication is difficult, necessitating delayed surgery with associated high morbidity and significant mortality.

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Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) dressing has been shown to decrease the healing time of chronic wounds and achieves a 64% spontaneous enterocutaneous fistula closure rate.

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We improvised VAC dressing using simple materials for proximal enterocutaneous fistula.

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Spontaneous closure was achieved on day 32.

Introduction

Management of enterocutaneous fistula is challenging with high morbidities and mortalities despite the recent advances in surgical technique. The bad outcomes are a result of associated metabolic complications. Vacuum-assisted closure dressing for the management of enterocutaneous fistula is a relatively new technique with benefit as a bridge to definitive surgery or definitive management in achieving spontaneous closure at a shorter time. In the current report, we share our experience of improvising vacuum-assisted closure dressing for managing postoperative enterocutaneous fistula and achieving spontaneous closure

Presentation of case

We describe a case of a 56-year-old male from Tanzanian with a postoperative discharge of intestinal contents from the wound. He was diagnosed to have a proximal enterocutaneous fistula. After sepsis control and achieving hemodynamic stability, the enterocutaneous fistula was managed with parenteral nutrition, proton pump inhibitors, anti-cathartics, and somatostatin analogs. Endoscopic therapies and fibrin sealants are other described nonoperative interventions for enterocutaneous fistula. The unavailability of these modalities limited us. Vacuum-assisted closure dressing was improvised using gauze pieces, feeding tube, and Op-site dressings at a pressure of −30 mmHg. We achieved spontaneous closure of the proximal enterocutaneous fistula in 32 days.

Discussion

The time to closure was within the range of 12–90 described for conventional vacuum assisted closure dressing, and there were no complications. Close monitoring of improvised VAC dressings is required as the risks are unknown; however, given the known complications of conventional VAC dressing, a risk of hemorrhage and creation of entero-atmospheric fistula exists.

Conclusion

Improvised VAC dressing for ECF is potentially an acceptable option with promising outcomes in low-resource settings.

Systematic review of negative pressure wound therapy for head and neck wounds with fistulas: Outcomes and complications

Fistula formation in head and neck wounds is considered one of the most challenging complications that a head and neck reconstructive surgeon may encounter. The current mainstay of treatment is aggressive surgical debridement followed by vascularised soft tissue coverage. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been successfully used for the closure of complicated wounds for decades. This study analysed the outcomes and complications of NPWT in the management of head and neck wounds with fistulas. A systematic search of studies published between January 1966 and September 2019 was conducted using the PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases and using the following key words: "negative pressure wound therapy," "head and neck," and "fistula." We included human studies with abstract and full text available. Analysed endpoints were rate of fistula closure, follow-up duration, and complications if present. Nine retrospective case series (Level IV evidence) that collectively included 122 head and neck wounds with orocutaneous fistulas, pharyngocutaneous fistulas, and salivary contamination were examined. The number of patients included in each study ranged from 5 to 64. The mode of NPWT varied among the included studies, with most adopting a continuous pressure of -125 mm Hg. Mean durations of NPWT ranged from 3.7 to 23 days, and the reported fistula closure rate ranged from 78% to 100%. To achieve complete wound healing, six studies used additional procedures after stopping NPWT, including conventional wound dressings and vascularised tissue transfer. Information regarding follow up was provided in only three of the nine studies, where patients were followed for 5, 10, and 18 months. No serious adverse events were reported. NPWT for head and neck wounds with fistulas may be considered a safe treatment method that yields beneficial outcomes with a low risk of complications. The current data originated mainly from studies with low levels of evidence characterised by heterogeneity. Therefore, definitive recommendations based on these data cannot be offered. Additional high-quality trials are warranted to corroborate the findings of this systematic review.

Systematic review of endoluminal vacuum-assisted therapy as salvage treatment for rectal anastomotic leakage

BACKGROUND

Endoluminal vacuum-assisted therapy (EVT) has been introduced recently to treat colorectal anastomotic leakage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EVT in the treatment of anastomotic leakage and rectal stump insufficiency after Hartmann's procedure.

METHODS

A systematic search of MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane databases was performed using search terms related to EVT and anastomotic leakage or rectal stump insufficiency in line with the PRISMA checklist. Observational studies, RCTs and case series studies published to July 2017 were included. Primary outcomes of the review were the success of EVT, defined as complete or partial healing of the anastomotic defect and associated cavity, and the rate of stoma reversal after EVT. Secondary outcomes included the duration of treatment to complete healing, complications of treatment and the need for further intervention. A meta-analysis was conducted. The potential effect of clinical confounders on the failure of EVT was investigated using the random-effects meta-regression model.

RESULTS

Of 476 articles identified, 17 studies reporting on 276 patients were ultimately included. The weighted mean rate of success was 85·3 (95 per cent c.i. 80·1 to 90·5) per cent, with a median duration from inception of EVT to complete healing of 47 (range 40-105) days. The weighted mean rate of stoma reversal across the studies was 75·9 (64·6 to 87·2) per cent. Twenty-five patients (9·1 per cent) required additional interventions after EVT. Thirty-eight patients (13·8 per cent) developed complications. The weighted mean complication rate across the studies was 11·1 (6·0 to 16·2) per cent. Variables significantly associated with failure included preoperative radiotherapy, absence of diverting stoma, complications and male sex.

CONCLUSION

EVT is associated with a high rate of complete healing of anastomotic leakage and stoma reversal. It is an effective option in appropriately selected patients with anastomotic leakage.

Chinese Trauma Surgeon Association for management guidelines of vacuum sealing drainage application in abdominal surgeries-Update and systematic review

Vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) is frequently used in abdominal surgeries. However, relevant guidelines are rare. Chinese Trauma Surgeon Association organized a committee composed of 28 experts across China in July 2017, aiming to provide an evidence-based recommendation for the application of VSD in abdominal surgeries. Eleven questions regarding the use of VSD in abdominal surgeries were addressed: (1) which type of materials should be respectively chosen for the intraperitoneal cavity, retroperitoneal cavity and superficial incisions? (2) Can VSD be preventively used for a high-risk abdominal incision with primary suture? (3) Can VSD be used in severely contaminated/infected abdominal surgical sites? (4) Can VSD be used for temporary abdominal cavity closure under some special conditions such as severe abdominal trauma, infection, liver transplantation and intra-abdominal volume increment in abdominal compartment syndrome? (5) Can VSD be used in abdominal organ inflammation, injury, or postoperative drainage? (6) Can VSD be used in the treatment of intestinal fistula and pancreatic fistula? (7) Can VSD be used in the treatment of intra-abdominal and extra-peritoneal abscess? (8) Can VSD be used in the treatment of abdominal wall wounds, wound cavity, and defects? (9) Does VSD increase the risk of bleeding? (10) Does VSD increase the risk of intestinal wall injury? (11) Does VSD increase the risk of peritoneal adhesion? Focusing on these questions, evidence-based recommendations were given accordingly. VSD was strongly recommended regarding the questions 2-4. Weak recommendations were made regarding questions 1 and 5-11. Proper use of VSD in abdominal surgeries can lower the risk of infection in abdominal incisions with primary suture, treat severely contaminated/infected surgical sites and facilitate temporary abdominal cavity closure.

Management Approaches for Enterocutaneous Fistulas

There are very few clinical studies that highlight a definitive and comprehensive guideline for the management of enterocutaneous fistulas. Most accepted guidelines are found in textbooks and are taken from expert advice and case reports. The goal of this review is to highlight advancements relevant to the management of enterocutaneous fistulas from the recent two to three years. Although strong evidence-based guidelines are lacking, the consensus is that a multidisciplinary team working with a clear treatment plan targeting multiple aspects of management can maximize patient outcomes.