Intestinal Lavage for the Treatment of Severe C. Difficile Infections
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2019-08-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Clostridium Difficile infections (CDIs) are treated initially with antibiotic therapy and
supportive care, with surgical intervention reserved for patients with significant systemic
toxicity or perforation. Severe CDI may be refractory to medical management and require
surgical intervention, carrying a mortality of approximately 40%.
Mortality associated with CDI increases significantly as the severity of the infection
increases. In patients failing medical management, earlier operation is associated with
decreased mortality. However, the lack of validated tools to predict the necessity for
surgical intervention, combined with the significant morbidity associated with total
colectomy significantly reduces the likelihood of patients receiving early surgical
intervention. The purpose of the proposed study is to assess the addition of intestinal PEG
lavage via nasojejunal tube to usual care in the treatment of adult patients with severe CDI
who have no immediate indication for surgical intervention.