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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Nov;26(11):863-874.
doi: 10.1007/s10151-022-02656-3. Epub 2022 Aug 1.

Treatment of enterocutaneous fistula: a systematic review and meta-analysis

R Gefen  1 , Z Garoufalia  1 , P Zhou  1 , K Watson  1 , S H Emile  1   2 , S D Wexner  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Treatment of enterocutaneous fistula: a systematic review and meta-analysis

R Gefen et al. Tech Coloproctol. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is an abnormal communication between the gastrointestinal tract and skin, with a myriad of etiologies and therapeutic options. Management is influenced by etiology and specifics of the ECF, and patient-related factors. The aim of this study was to assess overall success, recurrence, and mortality rates of treatment for ECF.

Materials: A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar was performed through October 2021 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Case reports, reviews, animal studies, studies not reporting outcomes, had no available English text, included patients < 16 years old or those assessing other abdominocutaneous/internal fistulas were excluded.

Results: Fifty-three studies, between 1975 and 2020, incorporating 3078 patients were included. Patient age ranged between 16 and 87 years with a male:female ratio of 1.14:1. ECF developed postoperatively in 89.4%. Other common etiologies were inflammatory bowel disease, trauma, malignancy, and radiation. At least 28% of patients had complex fistulae (reported in 18 studies). Most common fistula site was small bowel. In 34 publications, 62.4% (n = 1371) patients received parenteral nutrition. In 45 publications, 72.5% underwent surgery to treat the fistula. Meta-analysis revealed an 89% healing rate; recurrence rate after initial successful treatment was 11.1%, and mortality rate was 8.5%. In a subgroup of patients who underwent combined ECF takedown and abdominal wall reconstructions (n = 315), 78% achieved fascial closure, mesh was used in 72%, hernia, and fistula recurrence rates were 19.7% and 7.6%, respectively.

Conclusions: Treatment of ECF must be individualized according to specific etiology and location of the fistula and the patient's associated conditions.

Keywords: Enterocutaneous fistula; Meta-analysis; Postoperative; Small bowel; Surgery; Systematic review.

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