A Prospective Evaluation of Non-Operative Treatments for Gastrocutaneous Fistulae Closure in Children

Gastrocutaneous fistulae (GCF) persist after gastrostomy removal in one third of children. Several non-surgical treatment options have been described, including the use of proton-pump inhibitors, topical fibrin glue, silver nitrate application, and collagen plugging, albeit in underpowered and uncontrolled studies. We evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of a standardized, “bundled” regimen of non-surgical therapies given immediately after gastrostomy tube removal to promote closure.