title: The Use of Latex Catheters to Close Enterocutaneous Fistulas: An Institutional Protocol and Retrospective Review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of our study was to retrospectively review an institutional protocol that uses latex catheters for the treatment of enterocutaneous fistulas (ECFs) that are resistant to simple drainage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six consecutive patients with ECFs that did not close with simple abscess drainage were treated with latex catheters. These patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed to determine treatment success rates and the relationship of treatment success to clinical characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ECFs in 26 of the 46 (56.5%) patients were treated successfully with latex catheters. On univariate analysis, the fistulas that originated from the stomach were statistically less likely to close (p = 0.03), whereas those originating from the small bowel were more likely to close (p = 0.01). The duration of treatment was significantly longer in patients for whom the treatment failed than in those who were successfully treated (p = 0.003). After a total treatment time of more than 116 days (odds ratio [OR], 9.8 [95% CI, 2.5-38.4]; p = 0.001) or latex catheter treatment time of more than 74 days (OR, 8.9 [95% CI, 2.2-35.0]; p = 0.002), the chance of ECF closure decreased significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of ECFs that are resistant to simple abscess cavity drainage with a latex catheter is possible and decreases the need for surgery.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Division of Interventional Radiology, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 292, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
authors.forename: Shamar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Division of Interventional Radiology, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 292, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: D'Souza
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Division of Interventional Radiology, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 292, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Division of Interventional Radiology, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 292, Minneapolis, MN 55455.|2 Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Jafar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Golzarian
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Division of Interventional Radiology, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 292, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization; D057785:Catheters / Q000592:standards*; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D007840:Latex; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007840:Latex
keywords: closure; enterocutaneous fistula; latex catheter