Keywords
Bandage
General surgery
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Abstract
Objective: To report a clinical case in which negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was used to treat an enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) caused by postoperative adhesions after appendectomy. Case details: A male patient with a history of appendectomy and previous laparotomy presented with acute obstructive abdomen and underwent another laparotomy for intestinal adhesiolysis. Shortly after discharge, he developed a surgical site infection and a difficult-to-control ECF. Considering the complexity of the condition and the need to reduce fistula output, NPWT was initiated. After device placement, there was a progressive decrease in output, marked improvement in inflammatory and infectious markers, clinical stabilization, and rapid diet advancement. The intervention also provided better protection of the surrounding skin and optimized the healing process. Final considerations: NPWT proved to be a safe, effective, and essential tool in this patient’s recovery, enabling shorter hospital stay, faster wound healing, and earlier return to daily activities, representing an important adjuvant therapeutic option in the management of ECFs.
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