[Use of the Convatec Wound Manager and Stomahesive flanges in local treatment of external gastrointestinal fistulas].

The authors used in 1989-1992 for local treatment of postoperative external gastrointestinal fistulas the Wound Manager of Convatec Co. This aid ensures perfect protection of the skin, a good access to the fistula and dehiscent wound and accurate removal and measuring of the secretion. The authors used as an alternative method Stomahesive Convatec flanges with permanent suction. In this way during the above mentioned period 16 patients were treated at the Surgical Clinic of the Institute for Postgraduate Medical Training, Faculty Hospital Bulovka in Prague. Thirteen patients were treated by conservative methods only, but also in the remaining three prolonged conservative treatment made the operation possible. The total lethality was 25%. The authors recommend these aids as an integral part of comprehensive treatment of postoperative enterocutaneous fistulas.