Rubber sump drainage of enterocutaneous fistulae

Effective sump drainage of high enterocutaneous fistulae, together with alimentary rest and total parenteral nutrition, is now an integral part of the modern management of patients with this condition. The low tissue reactivity of the plastic and polymer materials currently used in most drainage tubes appears however, to be counterproductive to the establishment of a discrete fistula track and control of the fistula. A case is made for the use of red rubber sump drains for enterocutaneous fistulae. The greater tissue reactivity of rubber is reviewed and confirmed by animal experimentation. A method of rubber sump drainage of enterocutaneous fistulae developed during the management of 83 such fistulae is described.