Elimination of Intestinal Hypoxia in Complex Treatment of Intestinal Failure (Case Report)

INTRODUCTION: Currently, various approaches to the treatment of intestinal failure (IF) are considered. In search for pathogenetically justified therapy, it is possible to use oxygenated saline enteral solution (OSES). АIM: To demonstrate, by gas analysis of the introduced oxygenated saline enteral solution and the excreted intestinal fluid, the possibility of gas exchange in the intestine with increased oxygen extraction under hypoxic conditions. An 8-year-old child with burdened premorbid history and severe community–acquired bilateral pleuropneumonia kept on mechanical ventilation, had signs of IF (disorder in passage, absence of independent defecation for more than two days). During treatment and observation of the child, enteral feeding was attempted with pharmacological stimulation with prokinetics, and introduction of laxative sorbent with prebiotic effect (lactulose). Because of non-effectiveness of these measures, it was decided to perform intestinal lavage with OSES introduced through the nasogastral tube. In 30 minites after start of OSES introduction, the gastrointestinal tract motility notably enhanced, in 1.5 hour from the beginning of the procedure, fractional passage of a significant amount of thick fecal masses was noted, after which intestinate — liquid stool stained yellow with bile, was obtained. During the procedure, a comparative analysis of the gas composition of the introduced OSES and excreted intestinate was done. In the excreted solution, 97-fold decrease of рО2 from 659 to 6.8 mm Hg, and 3.6-fold increase in CO2 tension from 23 to 85.7 mm Hg, were noted. CONCLUSION: Oxygenation of the enteral environment by barbotage of a saline enteral solution introduced through a tube is an effective component of intensive therapy for intestinal failure syndrome, taking into account the ability of the gastrointestinal tract tissues to actively participate in gas exchange: extract oxygen and release carbon dioxide.