Management of complex abdominal wounds with small bowel fistulae: isolation techniques and exudate control to improve outcomes.

Enterocutaneous fistulae associated with abdominal surgery are an extremely troublesome complication. Fistulae that occur in large, open abdominal wounds and connect the wound bed and small bowel are especially prone to complications. Although a variety of management suggestions are available on this subject, few standard methods of management are discussed.

Wound wise: wounds in surgical patients who are obese.

The number of surgical patients who are obese in the United States is rising, a trend that's likely to continue. Such patients are at higher risk than nonobese patients are for surgical site infections and other complications such as dehiscence, pressure ulcers, deep tissue injury, and rhabdomyolysis. This article details the factors that can contribute to such complications, including a high number of comorbidities, and offers practical suggestions for preventing them.