The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Jan 2009
Enterocutaneous fistula complicating trauma laparotomy: a major resource burden.
Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is an uncommon and poorly studied postoperative complication. The objective of this study was to analyze the incidence and resource utilization of patients who developed an ECF after trauma laparotomy. All patients with an ECF occurring after trauma laparotomy at a Level I trauma center were identified through a review of both the Trauma Registry and the Morbidity and Mortality reports for a 9-year period ending in December 2006. ⋯ The development of an ECF was associated with significantly increased ICU length of stay (28.5 +/- 30.5 vs 7.6 +/- 9.3 days, P = 0.004), hospital length of stay (82.1 +/- 100.8 vs 16.2 +/- 17.3 days, P < 0.001), and hospital charges ($539,309 vs $126,996, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the development of an enterocutaneous fistula after laparotomy for trauma resulted in a significant impact on resource utilization including longer ICU and hospital length of stay and higher hospital charges. Further investigation into the prevention and treatment of this costly complication is warranted.