What condition is characterized by bubbles and excessive drainage following gastrectomy?

The condition characterized by bubbles and excessive drainage following gastrectomy is an enterocutaneous fistula. This occurs when there is an abnormal connection between the intestine (often the small intestine) and the skin, resulting in the leakage of intestinal contents through the skin. After a gastrectomy, surgical manipulations and anastomosis can lead to complications such as this fistula formation, particularly if there is tension on the anastomosis or if there are underlying issues such as poor nutrition, infection, or inadequate healing.

In the case of an enterocutaneous fistula, the drainage can be feculent, which tends to create a distinctive and problematic situation due to the enzymatic and bacterial content of the intestinal fluid. The presence of bubbles is often due to air being trapped within the drainage fluid or the intestinal contents escaping through the fistula.

While a wound infection can also lead to excess drainage, it typically does not present with the specific bubble characteristics and feculent nature associated with intestinal fistulas. Pancreatic fistulas arise from the leakage of pancreatic fluid, characterized by different drainage content and are related to complications from the pancreas rather than the bowel. Enteritis involves inflammation of the intestine and is generally associated with symptoms such as diarrhea