Colonic transendoscopic enteral tubing: A novel way of transplanting fecal microbiota

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Placement of a tube through the anus into the cecum has not yet been established as a method of administering whole-colonic treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and value of transendoscopic enteral tubing (TET) for fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) through the colon. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective observational study was performed of FMT using a new colonic TET technique. Under endoscopic guidance, a TET tube was affixed to the cecum with clips. The safety, value, and satisfaction with the FMT by TET were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 54 patients underwent TET. The success rate of the TET procedure was 100 % (54/54). Duration of the TET procedures was 14.8 ± 5.8 min. During the TET tube retention period, 98.1 % (53/54) of patients were satisfied with TET. The retention time for whole-colon delivery of the fecal microbiota suspension was 12.4 ± 2.3 days. In 88.4 % (49/54) of cases, no discomfort was reported during injection through the TET tube of the microbiota suspension. No adverse events were see in patients who required tube extubation after FMT. CONCLUSIONS Colonic TET is a novel, safe, convenient, and reliable procedure for FMT that results in a high degree of patient satisfaction.