External pancreatic fistula: a recent advance in management

The management of six consecutive recent cases of external pancreatic fistula is reported in which the use of total parenteral nutrition resulted in rapid closure of the fistula. The fistulae closed from 11 to 28 days after the commencement of total parenteral nutrition, with an average of 19 days. Surgical intervention to close the fistula was not required in any of the cases.