Intestinal Fistula

Question 1

What is fistula?

Answer 1

Abnormal connection between 2 *epithelialized surfaces

Question 2

Fistulas defined as low fluid fistula:

Answer 2

<200ml per day

Question 3

Fistulas defined as high output fluid fistula:

Answer 3

> 500ml per day

Question 4

Fistulas have the potential to close spontaneously. Factors inhibiting spontaneous closure are: FRIENDS+

Answer 4

Foreign body
Radiation
Inflammatory bowel disease
Infection/sepsis
Epithelialization of fistula tract
Neoplasm/cancer
obstruction of bowel Distal to fistula
Short fistula tract <2cm
High flow
malnutrition

(Main point is to decrease pressure)