Total parenteral nutrition in patients with enterocutaneous intestinal fistulas

: This is a retrospective analysis out of 49 patients suffering from enterocutaneous fistulae. 25 patients received total parenteral nutrition. The enteral feeding of 17 patients was completed by parenteral nutrition: 7 patients were fed perorally. 13 fistulae (27%) healed up by conservative treatment, 10 underwent surgery and 8 patients had persistent fistulae. The total mortality rate came up to 41%. Total parenteral nutrition can be the only treatment or is an effective adjunct to supplement the surgical management of enterocutaneous fistulae.