[Guided digestive fistula. Complementary method in prophylactic and curative postoperative peritonitis]

Guided fistula (or sinus tract) techniques, which are a nowadays a controversial topic, comprise a group of simple surgical methods of postoperative peritonitis treatment. This retrospective study is an attempt to bring further insights into the literature debate on the utility of the aforementioned techniques by presenting Craiova C.F.R. General Surgery Department 7 years (from 1991 through 1998) experience with 26 operated on patients, who underwent digestive guided fistulas too. In 16 of our study patients sinus tracts were created for postoperative peritonitis prophylactis purpose, whereas digestive guided fistulas, which were performed in the other 10 patients, were meant to treat peritonitis secondary to anastomosis breakdown. In 87% of pur series of digestive guided fistula patients the postoperative outcome was satisfactory. Three deaths were recorded only among the nonprophylactic sinus tract patients. Guided fistula method is an useful adjunct of the complex, well-codified management of postoperative peritonitis including its efficient prevention.