Treatment of Fistulas

A fistula is an abnormal connection between hollow viscus organs with epithelialized surfaces, such as the alimentary tract or the genitourinary tract, or between hollow viscus with a fluid cavity, as seen in abscess–fistula complexes. Fistulas are named based on the direction of which the contents flow; for example, with an enterocutaneous fistula, intestinal contents drained through the skin via an abnormal sinus tract. Fistulas have many causes, including iatrogenic, postoperative, or radiation-induced, or can arise de novo as seen from chronic inflammation or direct tumor invasion from locally advanced malignancies (Taggarshe et al. 2010; Pickhardt et al. 2002; Berry and Fischer 1996).