Mucous fistula refeeding in neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Topic overview
Systematic review demonstrates that mucous fistula refeeding in neonates with ostomies reduces parenteral nutrition duration by approximately 37 days and lowers cholestasis rates. This technique maintains intestinal physiology by reintroducing proximal ostomy effluent into the distal limb following abdominal surgery.
Key takeaways
- Mucous fistula refeeding reduced parenteral nutrition duration by mean 37 days in neonates with ostomies after abdominal surgery.
- MFR was associated with lower cholestasis rates, faster time to full enteral feeds, and shorter hospital stays in observational studies.
- Evidence quality is low; findings based on 16 observational studies (n=623) with no RCTs included in this meta-analysis.
- MFR maintains intestinal physiology by reintroducing proximal ostomy effluent into the distal mucous fistula during ostomy period.
- Randomized trials are needed to confirm these observational findings before widespread adoption of MFR protocols.
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