Long-Term Outcome of Home Parenteral Nutrition in Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Short bowel syndrome can cause severe malnutrition. Parenteral nutrition and the prescription of water and electrolyte can increase the survival of these patients. This article introduces a patient, who received parenteral nutrition for nine months after gastric cancer surgery and chemotherapy because of the initiation of cutaneous fistula (short bowel syndrome). Case Presentation: The patient was a 33-year-old male, who had undergone total gastrectomy due to gastric adenocarcinoma. After chemotherapy, because of the peritonitis, laparotomy was performed; the abdomen was full of fecal and bile liquid, and the perforation area was not found due to the high adhesion in the abdomen. Considering the continued secretion from the right drain area of the abdomen, with the possibility of spontaneous closure, TPN was performed for nine months. Fistula repair surgery was done and postoperative total parenteral nutrition was terminated in nine days and oral feeding was started and the patient was discharged in good condition. Conclusions: Total home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in patients with short bowel syndrome increases the survival of patients without dangerous side effects. Home parenteral nutrition can be useful to prepare the patient for surgery.