[Negative pressure therapy in wounds with enteric fistulas]

Negative pressure therapy (VAC, vacuum assisted closure) is a method used still in our country. It consists of a system of aspirating a wound by means of a piece of foam and a few adhesive films. It allows the treatment of complex wounds, included (although this is still controversial) those with intestinal fistulas. We present 3 cases of treatment with VAC in this situation and a review of the published literature.

We have treated 10 patients, since VAC therapy was introduced into our centre of which 3 of whom had a fistula in the bed of the surgical wound. We describe the clinical information of the patients and the therapy that followed in each of the cases.

Significant local clinical improvement of the disease, with control of the symptoms, was achieved in all 3 cases. We were able to re-operate to close the fistula in one of the patients, with subsequent good progression of the wound. In the other two cases it gave them a better quality of life although both died due to the overall complexity of their situation.

VAC therapy, although controversial in the treatment of intestinal fistulas, can help to improve the local situation of the wounds, the comfort of the patients and their general situation.