Improving outcome in patients of high output small bowel fistula

Early and effective control of sepsis is the most important factor determining the outcome in patients with enterocutaneous fistulae (ECF). From a retrospective analysis of the hospital records (published data), ongoing contamination of the peritoneal cavity by the faecal stream was the most important factor leading to sepsis and occurred in 75% of patients. The mortality figure in patients with high-output ECF was 54.5% and in the presence of sepsis it was 63%. In an attempt to reduce these high mortality rates, we conducted a prospective study to evaluate the role of the routine use of ileostomy as an ancillary surgical procedure for diversion of the faecal stream in patients with high-output small bowel fistulae. Data were collected prospectively over a period of 3 years for 31 patients with high-output small bowel fistulae. On the appearance of the first signs of a leak, a laparotomy incision was opened in part or entirely and the abdominal collections were drained. Atthe time of exploration ileostomy was performed. There were 19 males and 12 females with a age range of 15-34 years (mean 30.1 years). All the fistulae were postoperative. Enteric fever was the most common aetiology (39%), followed by tuberculosis (35.5%). In 26 patients (84%), ileostomy could be done while 5 (16%) were received in moribund state and could not be operated on. Nine patients were operated on within 24 hours of the leak and 7 (77%) survived. Fifteen patients were operated on between 2 and 5 days, and 13 (87%) survived. The remaining 2 patients were operated on after 7 days of the leak and both died. All 5 patients who were not operated on died. The overall mortality in patients with high-output small bowel ECFwas 35.5%, which was significantly less than themortality figure of 54.5% in a similar group in our retrospective study. The mortality in patients undergoing ileostomy was 23%. In the postoperative period, surgical wound infection occurred in 100% of patients with partial or complete wound dehiscence. Two patients required secondary suturing while the remaining healed by secondary intention. Routine use of ileostomy for diverting the faecal stream in patients with high-output small bowel fistulae was effective in bringing down mortality rates.