A Clinical Study of Enterocutaneous Fistula and Management Options

Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is defined as an abnormal connection between the gastrointestinal tract and the skin resulting in drainage of enteric contents on to the skin, and it requires multidisciplinary team management and surgical expertise. The objective is to study enterocutaneous fistula and its management options. Majority of them can be managed conservatively but those who required surgery is a difficult task to perform because of hostile abdomen with dense adhesions, presence of infections, malnutrition, electrolyte imbalance etc and carries significant risk of morbidity and mortality. This study is conducted at Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad with patients who are referred from outside hospitals and those who developed enterocutaneous fistula postoperatively are included in this study during a period of 14 months from June 2014 to August 2015. Age, Sex, haemoglobin levels, onset and duration of fistula, site of fistula, grade of fistula, output, sepsis, mode of surgery, management options and outcome were studied. Results concluded that the risk factors like sepsis, high output, decreased albumin levels, high grade of fistula were associated with increased mortality.