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Background and aims Patients on parenteral nutrition for short bowel syndrome (SBS) have a high risk of thrombotic complications and are often treated with parenteral anticoagulation. Direct oral anticoagulants are absorbed proximally in the digestive tract and may represent alternative regimens in selected SBS patients. In our pilot study, we provided pharmacokinetics parameters of dabigatran etexilate and rivaroxaban in this setting and compared peak (Cmax), trough (Ctrough) concentrations, and areas-under-the-concentration-time-curve (AUC 0 − t ) to reference values retrieved from phase I-III studies. Methods We enrolled 6 adults with a remaining small bowel length ≤ 200 cm, normal renal/hepatic function, and intact stomach. In our crossover study, patients were exposed to twice-daily dabigatran etexilate 150 mg and once-daily rivaroxaban 20 mg. Results After 5 days of dabigatran dosing, Ctrough and Cmax geometric means were 39 μg/L (90% CI: 23–66) and 88 μg/L (90% CI: 56–137), respectively; AUC 0–12 h was 958 μg ∗ h/L (90% CI: 635–1445). After 5 days of rivaroxaban dosing, Ctrough and Cmax geometric means were 9 μg/L (90% CI: 1–71) and 167 μg/L (90% CI: 102–276), respectively; AUC 0–24 h was 1720 μg ∗ h/L (90% CI: 899–3300). Absorption was negligible in one patient with ultra-short (~ 15 cm) bowel. For dabigatran, Cmax ratio was 0.57 (SD 0.33) and Ctrough ratio was 0.35 (SD 0.44). For rivaroxaban, the mean observed-to-reference ratios AUC 0–24 h and Cmax ratios were 0.73 (SD 0.32) and 0.76 (SD 0.34), respectively. Conclusions While in SBS patients there is some absorption of the oral anticoagulants dabigatran etexilate and rivaroxaban, it appears to be lower than reference values. Plasma drug levels showed significant inter-individual variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Spiral Intestinal Lengthening and Tailoring (SILT) invented by our team is a new technique that offers minimal mesenteric handling and a more physiological result compared to the STEP procedure. Its feasibility has been tested in animal models and now we report the first successful human application in extreme short bowel syndrome. Materials and Methods: A 3-year-old girl suffered subtotal loss of her small bowel and ileocaecal junction as a result of midgut volvulus. Only 15 cm of jejunum remained intact. Parenteral nutrition (PN), gastrostomy feeding, controlled bowel expansion and SILT procedure were applied. Results: The length of the jejunum increased from the initial 15 to 22 cm during 12 months of PN and bowel expansion. Eleven centimeter of distended bowel was further lengthened up to 20 cm by SILT giving a total small bowel length of 31 cm. Oral and gastrostomy feedings were commenced 5 days postoperatively. There were no surgical complications 6 months after the procedure. The patient's liver function was preserved, she was weaned off PN, discharged from hospital, but remained on gastrostomy top up feeding. The net weight gain of the patient was 1,800 g 6 months after the procedure. Conclusion: SILT procedure is a safe and feasible technique for human intestinal lengthening and tailoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a reduction in functioning bowel length which is most often a result of surgical resection. Risk factors in the neonatal period include necrotising enterocolitis, small bowel atresia and gastroschisis. With increasing survival of preterm infants there is an increase in incidence. Management is dependent on the use of parenteral nutrition to maintain fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and promote growth and development with the longer term aim being to promote intestinal adaptation to achieve partial or complete enteral autonomy. In this review we discuss the incidence, aetiology, pathophysiology, medical and surgical treatments and outcome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]