Мanaging surgical complications: a case of enterocutaneous fistula following recurrent hernioplasty

Abstract

Enterocutaneous fistulas (ECFs) are pathological connections between the skin and gastrointestinal tract that often develop following abdominal surgeries such as ventral hernia repairs. The formation of ECF is a manifestation of complication arising after hernioplasty with a reported incidence of 1-5%. Hernia type and its anatomical complexities, adopted surgical techniques and comorbidities together with patient's health status are factors that govern the development of ECF. The sublay method of hernioplasty is found to have lower complication rates in comparison to other techniques, but it still contains risks, particularly due to the complexity of the dissection. Understanding these factors is critical for the overall favorable prognosis of the patient's outcome. We present a case of a 65-year-old male who was hospitalized at the Department of Purulent Surgery of Grodno University Clinic (The Republic of Belarus) with a history of complex gastrointestinal tract surgeries, including left-sided hemicolectomy and subsequent hernioplasty, and who developed an ECF at the site of sublay mesh placement used to repair a ventral hernia.