Spectrum of intestinal failure in a specialised unit.
300 consecutive admissions over 7 years to a purpose-built intestinal failure unit are reviewed. The commonest underlying condition was Crohn's disease (42%), and the commonest complication precipitating admission was intestinal fistula (42%). Total parenteral nutrition was used in 85% and surgery in 50%. A multidisciplinary approach to management gave a high success rate--90% of patients were discharged from hospital, although nearly 25% needed home parental nutrition. These results suggest that chronic intestinal failure should be managed in specialised units in the same manner as other types of organ failure.
Scott
N A
NA
University Department of Surgery, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK.
Leinhardt
D J
DJ
O'Hanrahan
T
T
Finnegan
S
S
Shaffer
J L
JL
Irving
M H
MH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007422:Intestines / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods