OBJECTIVETo investigate the etiology and management of tertiary peritonitis in the patients with intestinal fistula.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-three cases of intestinal fistula complicated with tertiary peritonitis were reviewed. The microbiological characteristics, treatment Methods and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 114 males and 39 females with a mean age of (42+/- 19) years. The main causes of intestinal fistula included gastrointestinal surgery (40.5%), trauma (31.4%) and severe pancreatitis (14.4%), etc. The most common cultured bacteria of 157 specimens from 79 patients with tertiary peritonitis were Escherichia coli (24.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.1%), Staphylococcus aureus (10.8%), Enterobacter cloacae (10.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.3%). Debridement of the necrotic tissues, drainage of the abscess, continuous rinsing plus negative pressure drainage and antibiotics treatment were performed in 52 cases. Nineteen patients only changed from simple tube drainage to continuous rinsing plus negative pressure drainage. Twenty- eight patients changed to continuous rinsing plus negative pressure drainage and received antibiotics as well. Thirty- six patients received antibiotics and ecoimmune nutrition, while 18 patients only received ecoimmun nutrition.

CONCLUSIONSIntestinal fistula complicated with tertiary peritonitis was mainly caused by residual infectious focus and inappropriate drainage. The rational treatments include reoperation for debridement of the necrotic and infectious tissues, changing drainage to continuous rinsing plus negative pressure drainage, appropriate usage of antibiotics, and ecoimmune nutrition.