Background & aims: Patients with double temporary enterostomy may suffer from intestinal failure (IF). Parenteral nutrition (PN) is the gold standard treatment until surgical reestablishment of intestinal continuity. Chyme reinfusion (CR) is a technique consisting in an extracorporeal circulation of the chyme. The aims were to determine: i) whether CR could restore intestinal absorption, decrease PN needs, improve nutritional status and plasma liver tests; ii) the feasibility of home CR.

Methods: From the 232 patients IF consecutively referred for CR from 2000 to 2014, the 212 patients with IF, technical feasibility of CR, and effectively treated by CR, were included. Were collected prospectively before and during CR: daily stomal and fecal outputs, coefficients of nitrogen (CNDA) and fat (CFDA) digestive absorption, weight loss, body mass index (BMI), Nutritional Risk Index (NRI), plasma albumin, citrulline, and liver tests.

Results: 183 patients had temporary double enterostomy and 29 exposed enterocutaneous fistulas. CR reduced the intestinal output (2444 ± 933 vs 370 ± 457 ml/day, P< 0.001), improved CNDA (46 ± 16 vs 80 ± 14%, P< 0.001) and CFDA (48 ± 25 vs 86 ± 11%, P< 0.001), and normalized plasma citrulline concentration (17.6 ± 8.4 vs 30.3 ± 11.8 μmol/l, P< 0.001). PN was stopped in 126/139 (91%) patients within 2 ± 8 d. Nutritional status improved (P< 0.001): weight (+4.6 ± 8.6%), BMI (+3.8 ± 7.7%), plasma albumin (+6.2 ± 6.1 g/l), and NRI (+10.9 ± 9.5). The proportion of patients with plasma liver tests abnormalities decreased (88 vs 51%, P< 0.01). Home CR was feasible without any serious complications in selected patients.

Conclusion: CR corrected the intestinal failure by restoring intestinal absorption, allowing PN weaning in 91% of patients. CR contributes to improve nutritional status and to reduce plasma liver tests abnormalities, and is feasible at home.