An alternative negative pressure treatment for enteroatmospheric fistula resulting from small intestinal leakage caused by incision dehiscence

Abstract

BackgroundTo investigate the efficacy of an alternative negative pressure treatment for the treatment of enteroatmospheric fistula transformed from small intestinal leakage due to incision dehiscence after abdominal surgery. MethodsPatients with an enteroatmospheric fistula from small intestinal leakage owing to incision dehiscence following abdominal surgery between January 2010 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. ResultsA total of 83 patients (mean age: 38.3 ± 11.6 years; Body mass index: 19.9 ± 2.2 kg/m2) were enrolled. Of the 83 patients, 59 (71.1 %) achieved fistula closure. High-output fistula (Hazard ratio = 0.48; 95 % Confidence interval: 0.29–0.81; P = 0.006) and abdominal wall thickness >2 cm (Hazard ratio = 2.76; 95 % Confidence interval: 1.35–5.67; P = 0.006) were identified as factors affecting fistula closure. Lastly, 11/83 (13.3 %) patients exhibited re-dehiscence. ConclusionAppropriately applying the alternative negative pressure treatment may enable fistula closure in patients with enteroatmospheric fistula resulting from small intestinal leakage caused by incision dehiscence.