Efficacy of fibrin glue therapy for abscess-associated enteric fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal abscess that result from bowel injury may require treatment with percutaneous drainage. In some cases, an abscess-associated fistula develops between the injured bowel and the drainage catheter. Fistulas that fail to resolve may require surgery; however, fibrin glue therapy (FGT) may be a suitable alternative. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients undergoing FGT for an abscess-associated enteric fistula between 2004 and 2015. Success was defined as closure of the fistula tract without need for additional intervention. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify factors associated with success. RESULTS: We identified 34 patients with a median age of 54 (23-87) years and 24 (71 %) males. FGT was successful in 23 (67 %) patients. On multivariate analysis, a tract width less than 5 mm (OR 19.2, 95 % CI 1.7-214.5) and removal of the drain (OR 13.8, 95 % CI 1.2-157.6) predicted FGT success. The time from initial FGT to resolution was significantly decreased for the patients who were successfully treated compared to those who failed 24 (14-38) days vs. 99 (71-175) days, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fibrin glue therapy for abscess-associated enteric fistula results in successful and accelerated healing in the majority of cases. Factors associated with successful fibrin glue therapy were identified.

Duke Scholars

Author Douglas Overbey Surgery, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery