Berry and Fischer listed features that are favorable or unfavorable for spontaneous closure of an enterocutaneous fistula. The authors are from the University of Cincinnati.
Feature
Favorable
Unfavorable
intestinal continuity
maintained
complete disruption
fistula
end
lateral
associated abscess
none
present
adjacent bowel
healthy
diseased
bowel flow
free progression
distal obstruction
location
esophagus, duodenal stump, jejunum
stomach, lateral duodenum, ligament of Trietz, ileum
length of fistula tract
> 2 cm
<= 2 cm
length of enteral defect
<= 1 cm
> 1 cm
where:
• A longer fistula tract is more likely to close spontaneously than a shorter one.
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