DRESSING MANAGEMENT FOR ENTEROCUTANEOUS FISTULA: BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Abstract

Gastrointestinal or digestive fistula is an abnormal connection of the digestive tract to any hollow viscus or abdominal cavity (internal fistula), as well as to the surface of the skin (external fistula). It is one of the most feared postoperative complications, along with dehiscence and infection, classified according to the anatomical topography (stomach, pancreas, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon). In terms of output, high flow rate (above 500 ml/24 hours), low flow rate (less than 500 ml/24 hours); and finally, by origin, congenital or acquired and primary (resulting from intestinal pathological processes) or secondary (resulting from surgical procedures) (WERCKA et al., 2017).