Vacuum-assisted closure for cutaneous gastrointestinal fistula management.
BACKGROUND: Cutaneous gastrointestinal (GI) fistulas are a challenging complication in the oncologic patient population. The fistulous effluent is difficult to manage and adversely alters quality of life. Nonsurgical management of enteric fistulas is successful in 30% of cases, requiring at least 4 to 6 weeks. Recently a new technology has been developed to expedite wound healing. The Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) method is a subatmospheric pressure technique that has been demonstrated in laboratory and clinical studies to significantly improve wound healing. Here we report its use in the successful medical management of a cutaneous GI fistula. CASE: A 63-year-old woman with advanced ovarian cancer developed an extensive complex cutaneous GI fistula in an open healing wound. She was treated with total parental nutrition and the VAC device, which resulted in complete closure of the fistula. CONCLUSION: We propose that the VAC device may be a useful adjunct for the medical management of cutaneous GI fistulas.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Vacuum
- Surgical Procedures, Operative
- Ovarian Neoplasms
- Oncology & Carcinogenesis
- Middle Aged
- Intestinal Fistula
- Humans
- Female
- Cutaneous Fistula
- 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Vacuum
- Surgical Procedures, Operative
- Ovarian Neoplasms
- Oncology & Carcinogenesis
- Middle Aged
- Intestinal Fistula
- Humans
- Female
- Cutaneous Fistula
- 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine