The Use of Latex Catheters to Close Enterocutaneous Fistulas: An Institutional Protocol and Retrospective Review

Complex intestinal fistula treated with colon‑indwelling drainage stent under prostate resection endoscopy instrumentation guidance: A case report

The treatment of complex intestinal fistulas has been a challenge in general surgery. A complex fistula is defined as a fistula with more than one abnormal connection between the gastrointestinal tract and skin, or a fistula with multiple bowel loops. The present case report describes the minimally invasive treatment of a complex intestinal fistula. Briefly, a 51-year-old man presented with an intestinal fistula. Following adequate anti-infective drainage of the abdominal abscess, transurethral prostate resection instrumentation was used to flush and drain the intestinal drainage tubes. On reduction of leakage, a drainage tube was inserted into the intestinal tract to serve as an internal stent. Imaging confirmed the successful cessation of intestinal leakage and a satisfactory recovery. The drainage tube was removed under colonoscopy, restoring normal small intestine function. To summarize, after sufficient drainage, the leakage gradually decreased, promoting healing; the patient achieved full recovery upon removal of the internal stent via colonoscopy and the establishment of a small intestinal stoma. In conclusion, transurethral prostate resection instrumentation enables safe and minimally invasive placement of intestinal stents, ensuring effective drainage for managing intestinal fistulas.

Treatment of enterocutaneous fistula: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is an abnormal communication between the gastrointestinal tract and skin, with a myriad of etiologies and therapeutic options. Management is influenced by etiology and specifics of the ECF, and patient-related factors. The aim of this study was to assess overall success, recurrence, and mortality rates of treatment for ECF.

MATERIALS

A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar was performed through October 2021 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Case reports, reviews, animal studies, studies not reporting outcomes, had no available English text, included patients < 16 years old or those assessing other abdominocutaneous/internal fistulas were excluded.

RESULTS

Fifty-three studies, between 1975 and 2020, incorporating 3078 patients were included. Patient age ranged between 16 and 87 years with a male:female ratio of 1.14:1. ECF developed postoperatively in 89.4%. Other common etiologies were inflammatory bowel disease, trauma, malignancy, and radiation. At least 28% of patients had complex fistulae (reported in 18 studies). Most common fistula site was small bowel. In 34 publications, 62.4% (n = 1371) patients received parenteral nutrition. In 45 publications, 72.5% underwent surgery to treat the fistula. Meta-analysis revealed an 89% healing rate; recurrence rate after initial successful treatment was 11.1%, and mortality rate was 8.5%. In a subgroup of patients who underwent combined ECF takedown and abdominal wall reconstructions (n = 315), 78% achieved fascial closure, mesh was used in 72%, hernia, and fistula recurrence rates were 19.7% and 7.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of ECF must be individualized according to specific etiology and location of the fistula and the patient's associated conditions.

Percutaneous management of enterocutaneous fistulae and abscess-fistula complexes

Abscess-fistula complexes and enterocutaneous fistulae are due to postoperative, spontaneous, and inflammatory etiologies. Conservative, percutaneous, endoscopic, and surgical treatment options are available options. Interventional radiologists have an array of different treatment strategies, often starting with percutaneous drainage of associated intra-abdominal abscesses. This review article details different percutaneous management strategies, focusing on percutaneous catheter strategies for abscess-fistula complexes along with tract closures strategies for enterocutaneous fistulae.