Background: Cutaneous fistulas from the rectal stump after Hartmann procedure are not rare. Rarely do they require operative intervention, but they may result in prolonged skin care during hospitalization.
Purpose: of study: To describe the use of fibrin glue in the treatment of rectocutaneous fistulas occurring after Hartmann procedure.
Study design: Ten patients underwent irrigation of the fistulous tract followed by fibrin glue injection. The glue was reconstituted using the usual two syringe admixture technique; the tract was catheterized as far as the rectal stump, and the glue was injected as the catheter was withdrawn to skin level.
Results: No complications were noted and the discharge from seven out of ten fistulas dried up completely.
Conclusion: Biologic glue occlusion of rectocutaneous fistulas simplified local care and decreased hospital stay.