Successful management of enterocutaneous fistula in a preterm infant by a simple negative pressure wound therapy technique

Abstract

Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is a serious complication with problems of nutritional maintenance, infection control and wound management. A preterm baby (birth weight 690g) developed ECF after surgery for necrotizing enterocolitis. Conservative treatments including parental nutrition and wound care were ineffective initially, until negative pressure wound therapy technique (a colostomy bag and a suction tube connected to negative pressure) was applied. Among the various beneficial effects of negative pressure wound therapy, we believe the most obvious one is the rapid removal of the corrosive intestinal fluid from the wound.

Keywords

• Enterocutaneous fistula
• Negative pressure wound therapy
• Vacuum assisted wound closure
• Preterm
• Necrotizing enterocolitis