Fistuloclysis: An Interprofessional Approach to Nourishing the Fistula Patient

Managing the Open Abdomen: Selecting an Appropriate Treatment Strategy

Significance: The laparotomy is a common surgical procedure with a wide range of indications. Ideally, once the goals of surgery were achieved, the incision edges could then be approximated and the abdomen primarily closed. However, in some circumstances, it may be impossible to achieve primary closure, and instead the abdomen is intentionally left open. This review discusses the indications and objectives for the open abdomen (OA), summarizes the most common techniques for temporary abdominal closure, and illustrates treatment algorithms grounded in the current recommendations from specialty experts. Recent Advances: Still a relatively young technique, multiple strategies, and technologies have emerged to manage the OA. So too have the recommendations evolved, based on updated classifications that take wound characteristics into account. Recent studies have also brought greater clarity on recommendations for managing infection and malnutrition to support improved clinical outcomes. Critical Issues: The status of the OA can change rapidly depending on the patient's condition, the wound quality, and many other factors. Thus, there is a significant need for comprehensive treatment strategies that can be adapted to these developing circumstances. Future Directions: Treatment recommendations should be continuously updated as new technologies are introduced and old techniques fall out of use.

THE ROLE OF FISTULOCLYSIS IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ENTEROATMOSPHERIC FISTULAS

Background:

Enterocutaneous fistulas represent a connection between the gastrointestinal tract and adjacent tissues. Among them, there is a subdivision - the enteroatmospheric fistulas, in which the origin is the gastrointestinal tract in connection with the external environment through an open wound in the abdomen. Due to the high output in enterocutaneous fistulas, the loss of fluids, electrolytes, minerals and proteins leads to complications such as sepsis, malnutrition and electrolyte derangements. The parenteral nutrition has its secondary risks, and the fistuloclysis, that consist in the infusion of enteral feeding and also the chyme through the distal fistula, represents an alternative to the management of these patients until the definitive surgical approach.

Aim:

To evaluate the current evidence on the fistuloclysis technique, its applicability, advantages and disadvantages for patients with high output fistulas.

Method:

A systematic literature search was conducted in May 2020 with the headings “fistuloclysis”, “chyme reinfusion” and “succus entericus reinfusion”, in the PubMed, Medline and SciELO databases. Results: There were 29 articles selected for the development of this narrative synthesis, from 2003 to 2020, including reviews and case reports.

Conclusion:

Fistuloclysis is a safe method which optimizes the clinical, nutritional, and immunological conditions of patients with enteroatmospheric fistulas, increasing the chances of success of the reconstructive procedure. In cases where the definitive repair is not possible, chances of reducing or even stopping the use of nutrition through the parental route are increased, thus representing a promising modality for the management of most challenging cases.

Nutrition Management of the High-Output Fistulae

Enterocutaneous fistulae (ECFs) are commonly encountered complications in medical and surgical practice. High-output fistulae are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, poor quality of life, and a substantial healthcare burden. An interdisciplinary team approach is crucial to prevent and mitigate the adverse clinical consequences of high-output ECFs including sepsis, metabolic derangements, and malnutrition. Patients with ECFs are at a significantly higher risk of developing malnutrition and close monitoring by nutrition support professionals and/or a nutrition support team is an essential component of their medical management. High-output ECFs often require the initiation of nutrition support through either enteral or parenteral routes. Historically, parenteral nutrition (PN) has been the primary method of nutrition support in these patients. However, oral and enteral nutrition (EN) should remain viable options if an evaluation of the location of the ECF, amount of remaining functional bowel, and volume of ECF output identifies favorable conditions. Additionally, in contrast to PN, oral nutrition and EN are the preferred method of feeding because of the maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of the gastrointestinal tract. The inclusion of pharmacological interventions can greatly assist with the reduction and stabilization of ECF output and thereby permit sustained enteral feeding. Initiation of supplemental or full PN will be required if oral nutrition and EN lead to metabolic derangements, fail to meet energy requirements, or do not maintain or improve the patient's nutrition status. The main focus of this review is to discuss the nutrition management of patients with high-output ECFs.

Nutritional Management of Patients With Enterocutaneous Fistulas: Practice and Progression

The management of enterocutaneous fistulas (ECF) can be challenging because of massive fluid loss, which can lead to electrolyte imbalance, severe dehydration, malnutrition and sepsis. Nutritional support plays a key role in the management and successful closure of ECF. The principle of nutritional support for patients with ECF should be giving enteral nutrition (EN) priority, supplemented by parenteral nutrition if necessary. Although total parenteral nutrition (TPN) may be indicated, use of enteral feeding should be advocated as early as possible if patients are tolerant to it, which can protect gut mucosal barrier and prevent bacterial translocation. A variety of methods of enteral nutrition have been developed such as fistuloclysis and relay perfusion. ECF can also be occluded by special devices and then EN can be implemented, including fibrin glue application, Over-The-Scope Clip placement and three-dimensional (3D)-printed patient-personalized fistula stent implantation. However, those above should not be conducted in acute fistulas, because tissues are edematous and perforation could easily occur.

Treatment of Enterocutaneous Fistulas, Then and Now

BACKGROUND

An enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is an aberrant connection between the gastrointestinal tract and the skin or atmosphere (enteroatmospheric fistula [EAF]). Multimodal treatment includes surgical procedures, nutrition support, and wound care. We evaluated our practice and compared our outcomes with previous results published from our institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of hospitalized ECF/EAF patients admitted between January 2011 and November 2015. Patients with internal fistulas; active inflammatory bowel disease; malignancy; radiation treatment; end-stage renal, hepatic, or cardiac disease; and active alcoholism were excluded. Data collected included demographics, fistula characteristics, nutrition therapy, treatment, operative success, and hospital mortality. Parametric and nonparametric tests for independent and paired groups were performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients were included in the analysis. The median (interquartile range) age was 60 (53-76) years, and 81% were female. Parenteral nutrition was initially prescribed in 80% of patients, but 61% received enteral nutrition (EN) at some point during their hospitalization. Two patients were fed by fistuloclysis. Eighty percent of the patients underwent surgical repair a median of 12 months after diagnosis with 92% operative success. Surgical repair had a modest correlation with home discharge (ρ = 0.517, P = .003). A large proportion of patients (77%) were discharged home. The in-hospital mortality at our institution decreased from 44% in 1960 to 21% in 1970 to 3% in the current study.

CONCLUSIONS

Modern treatment of ECF/EAF, including EN and advanced local wound care, is associated with improvements in clinical outcomes such as hospital mortality.

Classification, prevention and management of entero-atmospheric fistula: a state-of-the-art review

BACKGROUND

Entero-atmospheric fistula (EAF) is an enteric fistula occurring in the setting of an open abdomen, thus creating a communication between the GI tract and the external atmosphere. Management and nursing of patients suffering EAF carries several challenges, and prevention of EAF should be the first and best treatment option.

PURPOSE

Here, we present a novel modified classification of EAF and review the current state of the art in its prevention and management including nutritional issues and feeding strategies. We also provide an overview on surgical management principles, highlighting several surgical techniques for dealing with EAF that have been reported in the literature throughout the years.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment strategy for EAF should be multidisciplinary and multifaceted. Surgical treatment is most often multistep and should be tailored to the single patient, based on the type and characteristics of the EAF, following its correct identification and classification. The specific experience of surgeons and nursing staff in the management of EAF could be enhanced, applying distinct simulation-based ex vivo training models.