[Treatment of patients with external intestinal fistulas and widespread peritoneal adhesions].

Objective: To substantiate the safe timing and volume of enterolysis during operative treatment of patients with external small intestinal fistulas against the background of widespread peritoneal adhesive process.

Material and methods: Comparative results of treatment of 315 adult patients, divided into 3 groups (60, 74 and 181 patients), depending on the graduation of peritoneal adhesive process, timing of operations and volumes of enterolysis are presented.

Results: The highest postoperative mortality (17 (6.7%) out of 255) and the frequency of complications were characterized by operations performed within 1 month, against the background of widespread adhesive process. After 30 days, more favorable outcomes were observed in patients after complete distal enterolysis. The lowest mortality rate of patients (3 (2.4%) of 127) was observed more than 3 months after the onset of fistulas, after complete distal enterolysis.

Conclusion: The presence of widespread peritoneal adhesions worsens the outcomes in patients with external small intestinal fistulas; performing reconstructive operations within more than 3 months from the formation of fistulas and complete distal enterolysis improves treatment results.