Compensatory enteral hyperalimentation for management of patients with severe short bowel syndrome

In order to evaluate the effects of an unrestricted, compensatory, enteral hyperalimentation in patients with short bowel syndrome, we retrospectively selected from 128 consecutive patients with extensive small bowel resection a group of 25 who developed under this regimen a massive protracted diarrhea (fecal weight 2005-6188 g/day). All the patients but one were weaned from parenteral nutrition by the eighth day after admission. Although fecal weight increased in relation to the increase of the enteral intake, there was a significant gain of body weight, serum-albumin, and creatinine-height index and an improved fluid and electrolyte balance through the period of hospitalization. By contrast, 18 of the 25 patients developed hypocalcemia and/or hypomagnesemia. After discharge (median follow-up, three years), most patients resumed normal social activity. It is concluded that exclusively enteral hyperalimentation can stabilize most patients with severe short bowel syndrome even in the case of massive fecal losses.