Negative Pressure Therapy for Management of High Output Duodenal Fistula

This case study describes a patient with duodenal perforation caused by foreign body ingestion who postoperatively developed high output duodenal fistula and intra-abdominal sepsis. The management of this complication included the unique application of negative pressure wound vacuum therapy via retroperitoneal drains. This assisted the closure of the duodenal fistula, prevented surgical reintervention, helped control intra-abdominal sepsis, and simplified local wound care. Application of closed incision negative pressure therapy to the retroperitoneal space via surgical drains is a technically easy and well-tolerated modality that accelerates duodenal fistula closure.