Enteral therapy in the management of massive gut resection complicated by chronic fluid and electrolyte depletion.

Following combined resection of small and large bowel, fluid and electrolyte depletion may necessitate chronic intravenous therapy. We report two such patients who were dependent upon thrice weekly intravenous electrolyte infusions to maintain body weight and urine output. The patients were maintained on a diet aimed at minimizing intestinal fluid losses but nevertheless were in severe negative sodium and water balance. Metabolic studies were performed to evaluate the efficacy of oral glucose electrolyte therapy in reversing negative sodium and water balance. Fluid and electrolyte homeostasis was achieved with isotonic glucose, or glucose polymer, electrolyte sipping solutions which enabled both patients to become independent of parenteral therapy.