Current status in the multidisciplinary management of duodenal fistula.

INTRODUCTION

Paradigms in the management of duodenal fistula have evolved over the last half a century. Despite advances, morbidity and mortality still remain high. This paper provides a comprehensive, up to date, systematic review in the management of duodenal fistula, classifying the various strategies in the management of duodenal fistula

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review was performed on Medline, Embase and Cochrane library databases using the Cochrane systematic reviews methodology. A final population of 42 studies reported on 349 patients, with a median (range) number of patients per study of two (1-68). The manuscripts were broadly divided in to "non-interventional" and "interventional". The interventional group was subdivided in to "minimally invasive" and the "open surgical approach".

RESULTS

A total of 147 patients were treated conservatively (non-interventional group), with a median duration of 28 days (range 13-42 days) with 13 (9%) deaths recorded in this group. No deaths were reported in the 8 reports on minimally invasive approach.166 patients had open surgical approach with a mortality rate of 30% (50 patients).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In the absence of randomised controlled trials, no one interventional modality can be considered superior. Initial multidisciplinary conservative approach with sepsis control and nutritional augmentation should be for 6 weeks. It would seem reasonable, in those fistulae that fail to close spontaneously, to attempt a low risk "minimally invasive" intervention where necessary expertise is available. More risky open surgical approaches should clearly be reserved for those that fail and are best performed in specialist centres.