STaR centre directors Associate Professor Greg O’Grady and Professor Ian Bissett have developed a novel chyme reinfusion device.

High-output enterostomies and enteroatmospheric fistulas (EAF) are common causes of intestinal failure, and may necessitate parenteral nutrition and prolonged hospital stay. Reinfusing lost chyme into the distal gut is known to be beneficial, but implementation has been limited because manual rein-fusion is unpleasant and labour-intensive, and no devices are available.

This new purpose-built device has demonstrated benefits and acceptability in a first-in-human feasibility study. The study shows the device is effective, safe, user friendly and clinically acceptable, with the potential for to become the standard of care for high-output double enterostomies and EAFs. Pivotal trials and regulatory approvals are now in process.

A/Prof O’Grady is a General and Colorectal Surgeon at Auckland City Hospital, and principal investigatorĀ at the Department of Surgery (FMHS) and Auckland Bioengineering Institute. He leads the Surgical Engineering Lab, and the clinical / experimental arm of the GI Bioengineering Group.

Prof. Ian Bissett is a General and Colorectal Surgeon and Director of the Indigenous and Global Surgery Group within STaR. He leads the Auckland Colorectal Research Group in the Department of Surgery (FMHS). Prof. Bissett has strong links to Nepal having practiced surgery and teaching support in a Regional Hospital for over 20 years.

The authors thank the patients and staff of Auckland City. Hospital. This work was funded with the support of the NZ Medical Technologies Centre of Research Excellence. Devices were supplied by The Insides Company.

The full article can be found in the August 2020 issue of BJS. DOI: 10.1002/bjs.11516