Closure of a duodenal cutaneous fistula with endoscopic negative pressure therapy using a thin open-pore film drain – an easy tool and simple method

A 57-year-old patient underwent emergency laparotomy for an acute abdomen with free intra-abdominal air caused by a perforated distal gastric ulcer. Surgical closure was performed by suture. Histological adenocarcinoma was found Therefore, revision laparotomy with distal gastric resection and Roux-en-y reconstruction was done 3 days later. At 6 days postoperatively, a discharge of biliary secretions via target drainage for duodenal stump insufficiency was seen. Surgical closure was tried in another revision laparotomy. But again biliary secretion occurred proving the persistent duodenal leakage.

Passive drainage via the operative drain was sufficient to avoid development of an acute abdomen, therefore the duodenal secretions were drained passively. Secretion of 100–200 ml daily persisted for 21 days with formation of a duodenal cutaneous fistula channel ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 Endoscopic view of the long fistula channel after passive drainage with an operative drain.

Then, treatment was switched to active drainage management with endoscopic negative pressure using an open-pore film drain. The drain was made by wrapping a strip of thin, double-layered, open-pore film (Suprasorb CNP Drainage Film; Lohmann & Rauscher, Rengsdorf, Germany) around the distal drainage end and fixing it with a suture [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] ([Fig. 2]). This created a small-bore open-pore drainage tube to which negative pressure could be applied. The open-pore film drain used had a diameter of only 5 mm. The length of the drainage element was 10 cm. The drain was simply manually inserted in the cutaneous opening into the pre-existing 12-cm-long fistula channel. Suction of –125 mmHg was applied (ACTIV.A.C; KCI, San Antonio, Texas, USA). The secretion stopped immediately. After 4 days, endoscopic negative pressure treatment was terminated. The open-pore film drain was removed by pulling out the tube ([Fig. 3]). Endoscopic inspection of the fistula channel showed the typical suction effects ([Fig. 4]), with the regular pore structure of the open-pore membrane ([Video 1]). The fistula was closed. The open-pore film drain is a simple device that can be used to achieve duodenal cutaneous fistula closure very easily by negative pressure in appropriate cases.

Fig. 2 Making an open-pore film drain: a strip of the double-layered open-pore film is wrapped around the distal end of a small drain tube and fixed with a suture.

Fig. 3 Removed open-pore film drain after 4 days of negative pressure treatment in the fistula channel.

Fig. 4 Endoscopic view of the fistula channel after 4 days of negative pressure therapy with an open-pore film drain. Typical regular suction pattern can be seen. The tissue of the fistula channel was sucked into the pores of the open-pore film.

Video 1 This video illustrates the course of therapy with the endoscopic aspects of wound healing under negative pressure therapy for fistula closure, creation of the open-pore film drain, and removal maneuver.

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Publication History

Article published online:
08 October 2021

• References

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