Table 3

Anatomical factors predictive of spontaneous fistula closure8,26

UnfavourableFavourable
Complete disruptionContinuity maintained
Lateral fistulaEnd fistula
Large adjacent abscessNo associated abscess
Adjacent bowel diseasedAdjacent bowel healthy
Distal obstructionFree distal flow
Fistula tract h2 cm — epithelialisationFistula tract g2 cm — non-epithelialised
Enteral defect g1 cmEnteral defect h1 cm
Fistula site:Fistula site:
• Gastric• Oropharyngeal
• Lateral duodenal• Oesophageal
• Ligament of Treitz• Duodenal stump
• Ileal• Pancreatobiliary
• Jejunal