December 9, 2021
This image should be read in conjunction with the blog “What is Chyme?” and “What is Chyme Reinfusion?” to aid in understanding.
When a patient has a high output enterostomy (HOPE) or enteroatmospheric fistula (EAF), it is vital the position of the proximal outlet is known. All of the intestine, distal to the HOPE/EAF is defunctioned, and will no longer be able to absorb the nutrients shown in the figure below. The sooner that chyme is able to be reintroduced to this defunctioned intestine using The Insides® System, the sooner a more normal intestinal absorption profile can be achieved. Homeostasis is the medical word for a stable state of being. Reinfusing chyme distally can enable patients to return to homeostasis.
Written by
Emma Ludlow
CNS Stomal Therapist
PG Dip. Stomal Therapy, MNurs (Hons)