The main focus of this presentation will be to offer options in choosing containment devices and protective barriers to manage an enterocutaneous fistula within an open abdominal wound.

Clinical problem:

 Managing an open abdominal wound is often a challenge when the integrity of the wound bed is compromised by stool contamination as a result of an enterocutaneous fistula located within the wound bed. This presentation will include product selection and innovative approaches when containing fistula drainage in a wound being managed with negative pressure wound therapy.

Current Clinical Approach:

A stomatized fistula was isolated by placing skin barrier rings, barrier paste strips, and skin barrier paste around the fistula prior to application of the sponge for negative pressure therapy. The fistula was then pouched with an ostomy drainable pouch therefore containing the fistula drainage, quantifying fistula drainage, and allowing the sponge dressing to maintain a vacuum seal therefore promoting the abdominal wound to heal.

Outcomes:

We were able to maintain a barrier seal around the fistula, facilitate the protection and healing of the perifistular wound and provide patient comfort and mobility.  .