Managing fluid balance and nutritional status in a short bowel syndrome patient awaiting intestinal transplant: a case report

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2024 May;78(5):455-458. doi: 10.1038/s41430-024-01405-z. Epub 2024 Jan 24.

Abstract

Background: Despite being a long-term therapy for patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS), subcutaneous injections of teduglutide promote the regeneration of the gastrointestinal tract. Such cases are particularly concerning for patients with residual small bowel.

Methods: In this report, we present a case of an SBS patient with only 5 cm of remaining small bowel and a high-output duodenal stoma, who was treated with teduglutide.

Results: The initiation of teduglutide injections in our patient resulted in a reduction of stoma output, improvement in the patient's nutritional status, regulation of fluid balance, and stabilization of their clinical condition.

Conclusions: This case suggests that subcutaneous injections of teduglutide, when combined with appropriate nutritional care, can effectively treat high-output stomas, even in cases where the small bowel is nearly absent.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Intestine, Small*
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Peptides* / therapeutic use
  • Short Bowel Syndrome* / therapy
  • Surgical Stomas
  • Water-Electrolyte Balance / drug effects

Substances

  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Peptides
  • teduglutide