Fistula Care – Fistula Solution

Join Fistula Solution at ASCRS 2025 in San Diego!

We are excited to announce that Fistula Solution will be exhibiting at the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) Annual Scientific Meeting, taking place May 10–13, 2025 in San Diego, California!

If you're attending, we invite you to visit us at Booth #416 to meet our team, explore our innovative devices, and learn how we’re supporting clinicians in managing the most complex fistula and ostomy cases.

Don’t Miss the Enterocutaneous Fistula Symposium

One of the highlights of this year’s conference is the Management of Enterocutaneous Fistulas Symposium, scheduled for:
🗓 Monday, May 12, 2025
🕥 10:15 AM PT

Leading surgical experts will discuss:

Patient evaluation strategies
Medical management and optimization
New surgical techniques
When (and when not) to operate
The importance of a multidisciplinary approach

If you're passionate about improving care for patients with enteric fistulas, this session is a must-attend.
View full symposium details here.

Why Visit Fistula Solution at Booth 416?

At Fistula Solution, our mission is to make healing better for patients facing complex enterocutaneous fistulas and high-output ostomies. When you visit our booth, you’ll have the opportunity to:

See our specialized wound and fistula management devices
Talk with our clinical and product experts
Learn about new techniques that support challenging wound care cases

We’re passionate about collaborating with providers to improve outcomes and enhance quality of life for patients with some of the most difficult surgical challenges.

We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!
Let’s move fistula care forward — together.

#ASCRS2025 #Fistula #ComplexWounds

RAPID FIRE: Fistulas Hits SAWC Spring 2025 in Grapevine, Texas

Get ready for a high-impact educational session deep in the heart of Texas! Fistula Solution is proud to spotlight an exciting upcoming event at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring 2025 in Grapevine, TX — and trust us, this is one you won’t want to miss.

🔥 RAPID FIRE: Fistulas

📍 Grapevine, Texas
📅 Saturday, May 3, 2025
⏰ 5:10 – 5:35 PM

Led by the incomparable Mary Anne Obst, RN, BSN, CCRN, CWON, CWS, this 25-minute rapid-fire session is all about practical, hands-on strategies for enteric fistula management. Designed for busy clinicians who need real-world guidance they can put into practice immediately, the session features:

📸 Photographic case studies of complex fistulas
🧰 Step-by-step clinical techniques
🧠 Insights from years of bedside experience
💡 Pearls for both seasoned pros and those new to fistula care

Whether you're working in acute care, long-term care, or anywhere in between, this session is packed with tips to help you navigate the unique challenges of enteric fistulas with skill and confidence.

🤠 Why Attend?

Because "Don’t mess with Texas" applies to more than just littering — it’s also a reminder that enteric fistulas demand serious, informed care. This session delivers just that, in a compact, no-fluff format that respects your time and deepens your clinical impact.

📌 Plan Your Trip

SAWC Spring 2025 is one of the premier gatherings for wound care professionals across the country. If you’re attending, make sure RAPID FIRE: Fistulas is on your agenda.

👉 Click here for more information and to register

We'll see you in Grapevine — boots optional, clinical excellence required.

2025 Mayo Clinic Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Conference!

We’re excited to share that the Mayo Clinic will be hosting the 2025 Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) CNE Nursing Conference on April 22, 2025, in Rochester, MN.

Whether you're looking to engage face-to-face with colleagues or participate from the comfort of your own workspace, the conference offers both in-person and livestream (virtual) attendance options to meet your schedule and learning preferences.

Why Attend?

This conference brings together frontline clinicians, WOC specialists, and innovators to advance care in some of the most complex and critical areas of nursing.

Here are two sessions you won’t want to miss:

🔍 Fistula Management

This session dives deep into practical, patient-centered strategies for managing enteric fistulas. Learn to navigate the unique challenges these patients present and walk away with real-world solutions that can be applied immediately in clinical practice.

💡 Care of Ostomies: Basic to Advanced

Whether you're just beginning your journey in ostomy care or are looking to refine and enhance your skills, this session has you covered. Expect a broad spectrum of education, from foundational knowledge to advanced techniques, complete with clinical pearls and implementation strategies.

The Takeaway

This conference is more than a continuing education opportunity — it's a chance to connect with a passionate community committed to wound, ostomy, and continence care excellence.

✅ Ready to Register?

Secure your spot now and be part of this enriching experience:
👉 Click here to register

Blarney, Bows, and Bowels: A Lucky Lesson at ASPEN 2025

This St. Patrick's Day season, follow the rainbow to ASPEN 2025, happening March 22–25 in Columbus, Ohio—or join virtually from anywhere! Fistula Solution is excited about this year's conference, where the magic of learning meets the latest in clinical nutrition and gastrointestinal health.

One of the conference highlights you won't want to miss is Dr. Ajay Jain's captivating presentation on short bowel syndrome. This "pot of gold" session promises to uncover treasures of knowledge, including:

🍀 Gut-Systemic Signaling: Explore how the gut communicates with the rest of the body and the implications for patient care.

💕 Injury Mechanisms: Gain insights into how gut injuries occur and the latest preventative measures.

🚀 Cutting-Edge Therapies: Discover the newest treatments that are changing the landscape for patients with short bowel syndrome.

ASPEN 2025 is more than just a conference—it's an opportunity to connect, grow, and let the luck of learning be with you. Whether you're attending in person or joining us online, you'll gain valuable insights to enhance your clinical practice.

Don't miss this golden opportunity! Click here to register today!

Fistula Fiesta at WOW! Exploring Innovative Management Techniques for a Complex Challenge

Are you a dedicated healthcare professional seeking to expand your knowledge and skills in advanced wound care? Look no further! The Wild on Wounds (WOW) conference in Hollywood, Florida, is back with its impactful, hands-on wound care education. This year, the spotlight is on the "Fistula Fiesta" session - a unique opportunity to explore effective management techniques for the complex challenge of fistulas.

An Insightful Journey into Fistula Management

On September 16, 2023, the WOW conference will offer a comprehensive look into the management of fistulas. These challenging wounds can have a profound impact on both patients and their caregivers, making it crucial for healthcare professionals to stay informed about the latest advancements in treatment and care.

Unraveling the "Fistula Fiesta" Session

Designed specifically to address the complexities of fistulas, the "Fistula Fiesta" session will focus on the unique difficulties faced by patients and caregivers alike. Whether you're a nurse, a physical therapist, or an occupational therapist, this session will equip you with valuable insights and skills to effectively manage this intricate wound condition.

The Significance of Fistula Management

Fistulas pose significant challenges, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach to achieve the best outcomes for patients. Moreover, the psychological impact on patients and their families should not be underestimated. This session aims to illuminate the best practices in fistula management, empowering attendees to provide better care and support to their patients.

What You'll Learn

By attending the Fistula Fiesta session, you'll have the opportunity to achieve several key learning objectives, including:

Identifying three common types of fistulas that develop in patients.
Comparing different types of fistula management devices available on the market, allowing you to make informed choices tailored to your patients' unique needs.

Your Expert Guide - Emily Greenstein

Leading the Fistula Fiesta session is the experienced Emily Greenstein, APRN, CNP, CWON-AP, FACCWS, from Sanford Health in Fargo, ND. Emily's wealth of knowledge and expertise makes her the perfect guide to navigate the complexities of fistula management. With her board certifications in Wound and Ostomy Care and 14 years of experience, she is dedicated to advancing wound care practices and providing optimal patient outcomes.

Join the Fiesta, Enhance Your Expertise!

The Fistula Fiesta session at WOW promises to be an illuminating experience, providing you with valuable insights and skills to tackle the challenges of fistula management with confidence. Whether you're a seasoned healthcare professional or just starting your wound care journey, this session offers something for everyone.

Don't miss out on this enriching opportunity! Click here to learn more about the event and the Fistula Fiesta session.

Fistula Fun at Chicago WOCN Conference

The upcoming Professional Education Day of the Northern Illinois Affiliate of the Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (NIAWOCN) includes a pair of exciting enteric fistula presentations. Dr. Erik Borncamp, Medical Director for The Wound Center at Silver Cross Hospital, will present "Ostomy, Fistula and Open Abdomen". He will discuss the pathophysiology of fistulas and the challenges in closing them.

Mary Anne Obst, Complex Abdomen Specialist for Regions Hospital, will close the conference with her "Fun with Fistulas" presentation. She will cover assessment and classification of the enteric fistula patient, medical management and wound care principles.

The NIAWOCN's 23rd annual professional education day is October 13, 2021 from 7:00am-4:00pm CST at Bobak's Signature Events and Conference Center in Woodridge, Illinois.

Belted Pouching with Fistula Solution Devices

A high-output enterocutaneous fistula or ostomy may produce two to seven liters of effluent per day which can be devastating to the skin and can cause pain, infection and emotional isolation.

Using a belted ostomy pouch with Fistula Solution devices can be a good effluent management option, particularly when:

The perifistula topography of a patients body, creases, or scars make adhesive pouching difficult, or
Ostomy pouches will not adhere to excoriated and weeping peristomal skin.

In these cases intestinal effluent can cause further irritation and wound formation of perifistula skin. To seal and protect the skin from effluent, Fistula Solution devices can be compressed around the patient’s enteric fistula or ostomy with a belted pouching system.

The following "how-to" steps illustrate the use of the Fistula Funnel in these challenging situations.

1. Tailor the Fistula Funnel by cutting along the exterior scribe line to form a skirt. The skirt will help form a good seal around the fistula or ostomy and protect the surrounding skin from effluent.

2. Check the fit of the tailored Fistula Funnel to ensure it will seal when compressed to the surface of the body.

The visible portion of the compression area is indicated by the yellow shape.

3. Center fistula or stoma in opening and compress the device. The fistula or stoma should be visible through the device opening after placement on the patient.

4. Apply a belted ostomy pouch appliance to compress the device to seal and protect skin and capture intestinal effluent.

This technique can be used to protect the skin from effluent and enable healing when other methods may not work and can dramatically improve quality of life for the patient.

High-output Fistula and Ostomy Effluent Containment

Managing effluent from a high-output fistula or ostomy can be a challenge. Even large, high-output pouches can prove insufficient when a patient puts out 5 to 10 (or more) liters of effluent daily.

Pictured is a technique for managing high volumes of effluent. A container is connected to the pouch using large bore corrugated tubing. Then, as prescribed by the provider, intermittent wall suction is applied to the container to draw effluent out of the pouch.

1. Connect and seal a suction tube near the top of a 3000 ml or other large container. Do not extend the tube more than 3 inches / 6 cm inside the container. Connect the free end of the tube to wall suction.

2. Connect and seal corrugated tubing to the top of the container. Ensure tubing is long enough to reach from the floor to the patient's pouch.

3. Fasten the top to the container and place the container on the floor near the patient.

Note that the container inlets for corrugated tubing and wall suction are spaced apart. This is so the effluent that is drawn into the container will drop to the bottom of the container and not be drawn into wall suction.

4. Connect and seal the free end of the corrugated tubing to the pouch drain.

As indicated by the healthcare provider, apply intermittent wall suction to draw excess effluent out of the pouch and through the corrugated tubing into the container.

This technique tip can help eliminate pouch clogs and effluent overfilling that can result in pouch adhesion failure and spills

The fill level of the large container should be monitored and the container can be emptied as needed. When a patient needs to move the suction tube can be disconnected from the wall so the patient can take the container with them.

Oregon Seminar: Complex Abdominal Wounds and Fistula Nightmares

Mary Anne Obst will present "Complex Abdominal Wounds and Fistula Nightmares: Tricks and Tips" October 19th in Medford, Oregon. The seminar is at the Advanced Wound Care Conference of the Northwest Region of the WOCN.

Mary Anne is a Complex Abdomen Specialist at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. She will teach participants various approaches to promote quality of life while targeting surgical repair when applicable. She will also share unique methods for managing complex abdominal wounds and enterocutaneous fistulas.

Click here for conference information.

Stop Pouch Attachment Leakage

Leaks can happen at the interface of a pouch appliance and Fistula Solution device. Usually leaks are because the pouch opening is cut too small or because of poor pouch adhesion.

The goal is to direct ALL effluent into the pouch appliance with no leaks. These technique tips will help assure success.

Click here for a detailed pouching video that demonstrates these technique tips.

1. Add a thin ostomy barrier ring to the top flange of the of the Fistula Solution device. This landing zone is where the high output ostomy pouch or wound manager will be placed.

2. Cut the opening in the high output ostomy pouch or wound manager generously. Make the opening diameter about 1 cm larger than the Fistula Solution device opening. Then place the pouch appliance on the landing zone.

3. Bridge the gap between the opening of the pouch appliance and the landing zone with another ostomy barrier ring. A barrier ring can be cut and applied in segments as shown in the image to the right.

Work the pouch appliance into the barrier rings. Have the patient lay quietly for 30 minutes or more to allow the pieces to warm up and adhere to each other.

These technique tips can help stop leaks from happening at the interface of the pouch appliance and Fistula Solution device, and ensure all effluent goes into the pouch where it belongs.