Tenckhoff catheter administration of intraperitoneal fluid and electrolytes for long-term management of intractable ileostomy diarrhea: a case report.

Often, maintenance of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis is the most challenging dilemma posed by short bowel syndrome. This report describes the management of a patient with intractable, dehydrating, salt-wasting diarrhea after small and large bowel resection for Crohn's disease complicated by rectal cancer. Intraperitoneal fluid and electrolyte therapy delivered through a Tenckhoff catheter was used to achieve long-term outpatient stability without chronic intravenous therapy. The concept of intraperitoneal fluid and electrolyte therapy is discussed and its potential role in the treatment of short bowel syndrome is described.