Chyme reinfusion in a clinical setting

Background: Patients with ileostomies may develop intestinal failure and high stoma output. Chyme reinfusion (CR) was considered an alternative to parenteral nutrition. The Insides System, a closed system for CR, was introduced to allow complete patient control and management. In this paper the authors used the system for 3 years and aimed to describe its use in clinical practice. Methods: A cohort of patients considered for the system was included in the study. They were followed from screening until discontinuation of the system. Data on health-related quality of life were collected, and journal audits were performed. Results: A total of 14 patients were included in the results. Two did not receive the system, four answered the questionnaires one time or less and four had the system discontinued before discharge. Answers from the remaining four patients were inconclusive. The audit revealed that evaluating patient compliance and motivation was key before introducing the system. With the system in place, pain and discomfort levels were found to be important for the patients. Conclusion: The Insides System was feasible in a clinical practice setting. However, comprehensive screening was necessary, with specialised nurses playing a key role.