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</div><div><span>Gastrointestinal fistula</span></div></div>
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</a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Gastrointestinal fistula</h1>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>A gastrointestinal fistula is an abnormal opening in the stomach or intestines that allows the contents to leak to another part of the body.</p><ul><li>Leaks that go through to a part of the intestines are called entero-enteral fistulas.</li><li>Leaks that go through to the skin are called enterocutaneous fistulas.</li><li>Other organs can be involved, such as the bladder, vagina, anus, and colon.</li></ul></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>Most gastrointestinal fistulas occur after surgery. Other causes include:</p><ul><li>Blockage in the intestine</li><li>Infection (such as <a test="test" href="./000257.htm">diverticulitis</a>)</li><li><a test="test" href="./000249.htm">Crohn disease</a></li><li>Radiation to the abdomen (most often given as part of cancer treatment)</li><li>Injury, such as deep wounds from stabbing or gunshot</li><li>Swallowing caustic substances (such as <a test="test" href="./002487.htm">lye</a>) </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Depending on where the leak is, these fistulas may cause <a test="test" href="./003126.htm">diarrhea</a>, and poor absorption of nutrients. Your body may not have as much water and fluids as it needs.</p><ul><li>Some fistulas may not cause symptoms.</li><li>Other fistulas cause intestinal contents to leak through an opening in the skin.</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>Tests may include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003816.htm">Barium swallow</a> to examine the stomach or small bowel</li><li><a test="test" href="./003817.htm">Barium enema</a> to examine the colon</li><li><a test="test" href="./003330.htm">CT scan</a> or MRI of the abdomen to look for fistulas between loops of the intestines or areas of infection</li><li>Fistulogram, in which contrast dye is injected into the opening of the skin of a fistula and x-rays are taken</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>Treatments may include:</p><ul><li>Antibiotics</li><li>Immune suppressing medicines if the fistula is a result of Crohn disease</li><li>Surgery to remove the fistula and part of the intestines if the fistula is not healing</li><li>Nutrition through a vein while the fistula heals (in some cases) </li></ul><p>Some fistulas close on their own after a few weeks to months.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>The outlook depends on the person's overall health and how bad the fistula is. People who are otherwise healthy have a very good chance of recovery.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Possible Complications</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Fistulas may result in malnutrition and dehydration, depending on their location in the intestine. They may also cause skin problems and infection.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>Contact your health care provider if you have:</p><ul><li>Very bad diarrhea or other major change in bowel habits</li><li>Leakage of fluid from an opening on the abdomen or near the anus, particularly if you have recently had abdominal surgery</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Entero-enteral fistula; Enterocutaneous fistula; Fistula - gastrointestinal; Crohn disease - fistula</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/8710t.jpg" alt="Digestive system organs" title="Digestive system organs" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/8710.htm">Digestive system organs</a></li>
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/9328t.jpg" alt="Fistula" title="Fistula" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/9328.htm">Fistula</a></li>
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>De Prisco G, Celinski S, Spak CW. Abdominal abscesses and gastrointestinal fistulas. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. <em>Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease</em>. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 29.</p><p>Nussbaum MS, McFadden DW. Gastric, duodenal, and small intestinal fistulas. In: Yeo CJ, ed. <em>Shackleford's Surgery of the Alimentary Tract</em>. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 76.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 6/11/2024</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. </p>
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