[Enteral fistula as a postoperative complication--a case report]

Enteral fistula is a serious postoperative complication. A therapeutical approach must be individual with regard to the character of the fistula and especially with regard to the entire state of the patient. With our patient the fistula occurred as a further complication after the reconstruction operation after the preceding Hartmann resection for the perforated diverticulitis. The serious catabolic state did not make possible an immediate operational revision. It was necessary to improve first the nutritional parameters by TPN and bring about anabolism. Only then the surgical intervention with the abolishment of the fistula was possible.