A Study to Evaluate the Management of Enterocutaneous Fistula-A Progressive Study

ABSTRACT

Wounds and their management are fundamental to the practice of surgery, as any kind of surgical intervention will result in a wound. Post operative wound complication is common, but sometimes a difficult event is experienced by a surgeon. A similar situation is a faecal fistula. Aims and objectives: 1.To Identify various causes of fecal fistula and there management in surgical patients. Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, GMC, Jammu w-e-f 1-11-2014 to 31-10-2015. Patients admitted in various surgical units of the department were incorporated in study design. Presenting features and detailed history of the disease was recorded as per enclosed proforma. Inclusion Criteria All patients developing faecal fistula following open/laparoscopic abdominal surgery both elective and emergency cases including Gynaecological /vascular/ thoracoabdominal/ urological surgeries. Exclusion Criteria Pharyngeal, oesophageal, anorectal and urinary fistulas were excluded from the study. Results: Among twenty five patients of small bowel fistula in our series, thirteen patients had spontaneous closure within 30.7 days with the range of 14 days (a case of post LSCS faecal fistula) to 70 days (a case operated for intestinal obstruction). Conclusion: In the end it is concluded that faecal fistula is a post operative complication with significant morbidity and mortality in relation to patient on one side and a lot of dedicated effort in limiting the morbidity(malnutrition,electrolyte imbalance,sepsis) to be performed by a doctor on the other side with utmost care of the patient with faecal fistula.