Stepwise treatment of complex intestinal fistulas and strategies of nutritional support treatment

Abstract

Intestinal fistula is one of the common diseases and complications in abdominal surgery. It does not only cause severe abdominal infections but also leads to obstruction, bleeding, malnutrition, and may develop into complex intestinal fistulas, resulting in increased challenges in treatment, elevated treatment costs, and increased risk of patient mortality. At present, the treatment of intestinal fistula mainly adopts a three-stage approach: (1) early diagnosis, (2) mid-term nutritional support treatment, and (3) definitive surgical treatment. Nutritional support treatment can significantly reduce patient mortality and improve recovery. Due to the difficulty, complexity, and diversity of intestinal fistula treatment, and the fact that complex intestinal fistulas are currently a challenge in the treatment of intestinal fistulas, this article will introduce the progress and difficulties at different stages, and explore the future treatment direction of intestinal fistulas from the perspective of interdisciplinary cooperation.