Management of intestinal failure and high-output stomas.

Intestinal failure and a high faecal output from a stoma or fistula are rare gastrointestinal complications. Intestinal failure occurs when the intestine fails to absorb sufficient fluids and nutrients to maintain life, and can result from bowel resection or malabsorption. The management of these conditions raises many issues which nurses caring for affected patients need to consider. This article will discuss those relating to feeding, appliances and medication. Two methods of feeding that can be useful in patients with intestinal failure, namely parenteral nutrition (intravenous feeding) and fistuloclysis (feeding via an intestinal fistula), will be explored. Finally, a short case study will be presented to highlight the effects of some of these interventions and the problems that they can cause for patients.