The use of autologous fibrin glue for the treatment of postoperative fecal fistula following an appendectomy: report of a case.
We herein report a case of postoperative fecal fistula following an appendectomy which was successfully treated by the use of autologous fibrin glue. An 82-year-old man had acute appendicitis and underwent an appendectomy. Later, a fecal fistula developed and he underwent drainage treatment twice. After 4 weeks of drainage and during the third recurrence, the remaining fistula was successfully treated using autologous fibrin glue, instead of surgery, due to potential complications and the risks of associated with advanced age. No recurrence has been observed for 5 months. In conclusion, autologous fibrin gluing for fecal fistula was found to be a safe, economical, and effective treatment. A search of Medline from 1980 until 2002 revealed no other report of this treatment for postoperative fecal fistula following an appendectomy.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001062:Appendectomy; D005243:Feces; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D014014:Tissue Adhesives