Intestinal fistula

What is intestinal fistula?

Intestinal fistula – abnormal hole, linking the bowel with other organs and cavities of the body. The contents of the bowel or stomach may occur in another area of the body or out.

Causes of intestinal fistula

Most intestinal fistulas develop as a complication of surgery on the intestine. Other causes include:

• Bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis;
• Perforation of duodenal ulcer;
• Trauma, for example, a gunshot wound or stab;
• Cancer;
• Complications after cancer treatment, for example, as a result of radiation therapy;

Risk factors for intestinal fistula

Factors, that can increase the likelihood of intestinal fistulas include:

• Application of radiotherapy;
• Poor diet.

Symptoms of intestinal fistula

Symptoms of intestinal fistula may include:

• Leakage of the contents of the intestines from a wound on the skin;
• Diarrhea;
• Abdominal pain;
• Signs of infection, such as fever, chills and acceleration of heart rate;
• Dehydration.

Diagnosis of intestinal fistula

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. It can also refer you to a specialist in diseases of the intestines or the surgeon.

To perform snapshots of the intestine can be used the following methods:

• Radiopaque barium study;
• Barium enema;
• Fistulogramma;
• CT of the abdomen;
• US.

Treatment of intestinal fistula

Fistula can heal independently within 2-8 weeks. Consult your doctor for the best method of treatment. Treatment options may include the following:

• Special diet during healing fistula:
  • Maybe, some time will need to eat high-energy foods;
  • Food can be carried out through the tube, that is entered in the stomach or intestines;
  • To relieve the load on the digestive system of nutrients can be entered via Vienna;
• To help prevent or control infection, They can be treated with antibiotics;
• For removal of the fistula accumulating fluid drainage can be installed;
• If a fistula does not heal, you might want to remove part of the bowel problem.

Prevention of intestinal fistula

At the moment, there are no methods, to prevent the emergence of intestinal fistula.