Intestinal fistula complicating pancreatic abscess.

Intestinal fistulization following acute pancreatitis is a complication of abscess formation and may occur after initial surgical drainage. It should be suspected in anyone with protracted pancreatitis in whom an abdominal mass suddenly disappears or in whom gastrointestinal bleeding develops. Although transient improvement may occur, decompression will often be incomplete and will usually be followed by recurrent sepsis or severe life threatening hemorrhage. For this reason, spontaneous fistulization into the intestine does not eliminate the need for adequate surgical drainage. With fistulas into the colon, drainage should be combined with proximal diverting colostomy. Some duodenal fistulas may respond to abscess drainage and intravenously administered hyperalimentation, while others may require drainage plus conversion from a side to an end fistula.