[Decompression of the duodenum, using the extraperitoneal route, in upper digestive tract fistulas]

Over the last 20 years a total of 45 cases with digestive fistulae of various origins have been hospitalized in the Surgery Clinic of the "Caritas" Hospital. In this paper a group of 21 cases with gastro-duodenal and anastomotic fistulae are considered, for the solution of which re-interventions were necessary. The authors present a procedure for temporary decompression of the duodenum, according to an original technique. The method allows to recover the digestive segment involved by healing of the fistulae in satisfactory conditions. The technical simplicity of the procedure is stressed, as well as the possibilities for postoperative radiological control, the strictly extraperitoneal traject of the tube, all representing qualities which give the technique considerable credit.