Nutritional support in high-output fistulas of the alimentary tract
Haffejee, A.A.; Angorn, I.B.; Baker, L.W.
South African Medical Journal 57(7): 227-231
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 6773156 Document Number: 155541
During 3 years, 63 patients with high-output alimentary tract fistulae were given 1 of 3 different types of nutritional support: 27 patients were given total parenteral nutrition (TPN), 23 were given TPN plus an elemental diet and 13 received an elemental diet only. The fistula closed spontaneously in 46 patients and 7 were cured by direct surgical closure; 9 patients died. The average duration of treatment in survivors from the time nutritional support was instituted was 24 days for TPN, 35 days for TPN plus elemental diet and 14 days for elemental diet alone.