Objective:

To present and describe a feedback technique in children with ileostomy that allows to increase the growth curve and decrease anastomotic dehiscence and postoperative dermatitis.

Material and methods:

We present 7 patients with ileostomy, treated with the refeeding technique during 2014 in the ColorectalCenter. We review why the derivation was performed, the age and the weight when the refeeding was begun, the weight gained, how long the refeeding was carried out, the macroscopic findings during the ileostomy closure and the outcome.

Results:

Four patients had intestinal atresia, 1 patient was suspected of Hirschsprung's disease, one had necrotizing enterocolitis and another had an intestinal intussusception with intestinal damage. The refeeding was begun at 5 months old on average and with 4.4kg on average. The weight gain was 0.7kg per month on average (range 0.36-1.4kg per month). We found no disproportion between the bowel segments. There was neither anastomotic dehiscence nor postoperative perianal dermatitis. After 2 years of follow-up, 6 patients have normal weight curve and normal height curve for their age.

Conclusions:

The refeeding is an easy, safe and inexpensive technique to increase the patient weight gain, to prevent the atrophy of the intestinal segment, to reduce fluid and electrolyte loss and to prepare the bowel for the future intestinal anastomosis.