Nutritional support in the management of external pancreatic fistulas.
A prospective analysis of 20 patients with external pancreatic fistulas was undertaken over a 5-year period to evaluate the response of pancreatic fistulas to non-operative management. In 90% of patients fistula followed external trauma to the pancreas. There were 18 males and 2 females and the average age was 30.3 years. Fifteen patients were given enteral nutrition alone and 5 received total parenteral nutrition; 2 of these received somatostatin as well. All the fistulas healed spontaneously within 7-80 days, with no deaths. We conclude that if the patient's condition is stable external pancreatic fistulas can be managed safely and effectively by non-operative means. Nutritional support, especially via the enteral route if possible, is beneficial.
Department of Surgery, University of Natal, Durban.
T E
TE
Madiba
A A
AA
Haffejee
B
B
Singh
R
R
Reddy
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010185:Pancreatic Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013004:Somatostatin