Delayed closure of complex duodenal injuries by a Foley balloon catheter duodenostomy

Less than 5% of abdominal injuries comprise the duodenum. Treatment is complex with high mortality and morbidity rates. These injuries are usually treated surgically and complications frequently occur. Three cases are presented in this communication in which the injury of the duodenum could not be repaired tension-free. In these cases a Foley balloon catheter was used to close the rupture. After a few weeks, patients were fed through the Foley catheter duodenostomy until a fistular track was formed. On removal of the catheter the fistular track closed spontaneously including the perforation of the duodenum.