Percutaneous obliteration of duodenal fistula

High output external duodenal fistula is a difficult condition to treat and despite the advances in nutritional care, morbidity and mortality remain h igh. Although, non surgical methods (e,g, endoscopy, fistuloscopy and percu taneous injection of substances) have been reported sporadically in the tre atment of enterocutaneous fistulae, gelfoam has not been tried. We present a case of duodenal fistula following blunt abdominal trauma which persisted for 14 weeks on conservative management, Percutaneous obliteration of the duodenal fistula was successfully performed using gelfoam injection through a catheter, This procedure is simple, safe and cheap and further experienc e may demonstrate that it is an easy and more practical tool in dealing wit h this problem.