Outpatient curettage and electrocautery as an alternative to primary surgical closure for pediatric gastrocutaneous fistulae

Our study verifies that primary closure remains the gold standard for persistent GCF. However, C&C is a safe, outpatient procedure that effectively treats a GCF the majority of the time in children. We suggest that in select patients, it may be an appropriate initial and definitive procedure for GCF closure.