ABSTRACT
A study of patients with intestinal fístulas treated at the surgical clinic of the Hospital Salvador, Santiago de Chile, from January 2007 until June 2009. The sizes of the study were 26 patients in whom diagnosis was clinical and / or images and / or surgical condition. The average age at presentation was 54.8 years, of similar frequency in men and women (54 percent and 46 percent respectively). Postoperative fístulas occurred in 80 percent and 20 percent spontaneous. Postoperative fístulas were found in an early stage in 57 percent of cases (before 72 h postoperative). Predominance of high-flow fístulas (73 percent) and location in the small intestine 58 percent to 42 percent in colon. Surgical closure was performed in 52 percent of patients, spontaneous closure by 32 percent and 16 percent non-locking. 61.5 percent of patients experienced complications being the most frequent infectious cause. 54 percent of cases required nutritional support with total parenteral nutrition. In our study mortality was 15.3 percent.