Intervention protocol: mucous fistula refeeding
fistula
NELATON
MFR was started when infants reached full enteral feeding, and the enterostomy output volume was sufficiently collected. MFR was initially performed by the surgeon and continued by the NICU nurse. We collected the proximal stoma output in pouches every 8 h and delivered 50% of it into the distal fistula. Initially, MFR was performed three times, and when there were no side effects, 50% was administered six times every 4 h. From then on, 100% was applied every 4 h. We manually delivered the output to the distal mucous fistula through a 3- or 4-Fr Nelaton catheter over 5–10 min. We used a new catheter for each infusion and subsequently removed the catheter. MFR was performed until reanastomosis, unless there were serious side effects.