Enterocutaneous fistula

From IDWiki

Background

  • Abnormal connection from the gastrointestinal tract to the skin

Etiologies

Risk Factors for Persistence

  • Mnemonic is HIS FRIEND
  • High output
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Short tract (<2 cm)
  • Foreign body
  • Radiation
  • Infection or inflammation
  • Epithelialization
  • Neoplasm
  • Distal obstruction

Classification

  • May be classified by output:
    • High output: >500 mL/24 hours
    • Moderate output: 200 to 500 mL/24 hours
    • Low output: <200 mL/24 hours
  • May be classified by etiology:
  • Maybe classified by GI source:
    • Type I: abdominal, esophageal, and gastroduodenal
    • Type II: small bowel
    • Type III: large bowel
    • Type IV: enteroatmospheric, regardless of origin

Management

  • Needs multidisciplinary care to optimize nutrition, assess fistulous tract anatomy, provide good wound care, and manage the underlying disease
  • Nutrition and fluid maintenance is important, especially for high-output fistulas
  • When they develop infections:
    • Percutaneous drainage of any abscesses
    • Antibiotics should cover GI pathogens
    • In general, antibiotics are not needed beyond source control
    • Duration of about 4 to 7 days is typically enough

Further Reading

  • Enterocutaneous Fistula: Proven Strategies and Updates. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016 Jun; 29(2): 130–137. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1580732