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.

Introduction

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has gained worldwide attention in recent years [1]. In 2013, it was recommended as the clinical choice in guidelines for treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) [2]. In addition, clinical studies have shown that FMT has a therapeutic role in inflammatory bowel diseases, refractory constipation, chronic diarrhea, and metabolic syndrome [3] [4]. Since 2012, our group has been evaluating possible applications for and new methods of applying FMT [5] [6] [7].

Previous reports on FMT for delivery of treatment have involved the upper, middle, and lower gut [8] [9] [10] [11]. FMT via colonoscopy is a classic approach, but patients have to endure bowel preparation and colonoscopy, especially when they need repeat treatment over a short period of time [12]. A traditional enema delivers solution only within the rectal and sigmoid colon which is way, in our previous studies of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, why we chose to use FMT for delivery through the mid-gut [6] [7]. However, patients may find it psychologically difficult to accept FMT through the upper and middle digestive tract. Importantly, reflux and aspiration of bacterial liquid may occur and even cause asphyxia [13] [14]. There is currently no technique for placing a tube through the anus into cecum for whole-colon administration of treatment that could be maintained for repeat FMTs or while awaiting fresh fecal microbiota from the lab. Therefore, to solve these problems, we designed a new technique called transendoscopic enteral tubing (TET). As shown in [Fig. 1], the TET tube is fixed to the cecum with clips under endoscopic guidance.

Fig. 1 Concept sketch of FMT treatment by TET.

Patients and methods

Subjects

A prospective observational study (NCT02560727) was conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from October 2014 to September 2015. All patients met the inclusion criteria, which were age 10 to 70 years, safety for the pilot study, suitability for endoscopy, and consent to undergo FMT and TET for their diseases and conditions. Patients were excluded it they had severe bowel lesions with stenosis, fistula, or the risk of perforation; complex perianal lesions or serious lesions in the ileocecal junction or ascending colon; and no proper site for titanium clip fixation. Informed consent was obtained from all adult subjects or parents in pediatric cases. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University.

Preparation, procedures and assessment of TET

Regular colonoscopy was performed under intravenous anesthesia. After examination and evaluation of the whole colon, the TET tube (FMT medical, Nanjing, China) was inserted into the ileocecal junction through the endoscopy channel ([Fig. 2]). The colonoscope was removed from the colon while the TET tube was maintained at the ileocecal junction. Then the colonoscope was inserted into the ileocecum again. The line circle on the TET tube was affixed to the intestinal wall using titanium clips under direct vision (generally two titanium clips at the first station and one to two clips at the second and/or third station as necessary) ([Fig. 3] and [Fig. 4]). Next the colonoscope was withdrawn carefully and slowly. The distal tube was affixed to the skin of the buttocks (preferably on the left side) with medical adhesive plaster. A valve was connected to the terminal TET tube. The procedure time and all related adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

Fig. 2 TET tube inserted into cecum through endoscopic channel.

Fig. 3 Attachment of titanium clips to the TET tube to the cecum mucosa at the first station under endoscopic guidance. The tip of the guidewire can be seen within the tube.

Fig. 4 The second station of TET tube attachment in the ascending colon mucosa with titanium clips under endoscopic guidance. The guidewire can be seen within the tube.

According to the concept shown in [Fig. 1], the patient was required to be in the right-lateral position and then 200 mL of suspension was injected through the TET tube. The 200-mL suspension was a mixture of 150 mL saline and 50 cm³ centrifuged microbiota that was purified following our lab protocol and using the automatic system GenFMTer (FMT medical, Nanjing) [6] [7]. The duration of the injection was recorded and intended to be more than 1 minute so as to avoid the abdominal discomfort that would be associated with a quicker procedure. After FMT, patients were required to remain in the right-lateral position for 30 minutes. Retention of the microbiota suspension for over 1 hour indicated successful delivery of the microbiota through colonic TET. In some cases, FMT was repeated during subsequent days to ensure infusion of the microbiota to the whole colon. Reports from patients of discomfort during FMT were recorded and all of them agreed to participate in the post-treatment survey on satisfaction with TET and FMT.

Results

As shown in [Table 1], 54 patients were included in this prospective study: 32 males and 22 females aged 10 to 70 years (mean ± SD, 34.5 ± 10.4). Of the patients, 23 cases had ulcerative colitis, 16 had Crohn’s disease, five had unexplained chronic diarrhea, five had constipation, three had small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and 2 had irritable bowel syndrome. TET was successful in all 54 cases (100 %). The mean time from advancement of the TET tube through the channel to the end of the tubing was 14.8 minutes. Three clips were used on two fixation stations of the TET tube in 36 cases during our preliminary observational period or in patients who only needed short-term retention of TET tube retaining. In the remaining 15 cases, four clips were used on two fixation stations. No complications such as mild to serious abdominal pain and bleeding stool were observed. During the TET tube retention period, 98.1 % of patients (53/54) were satisfied with TET; one patient with ulcerative colitis complained of tolerable mild anal discomfort; no other patients complained of anal pendant expansion.

Table 1 Characteristics of patients undergoing FMT through colonic TET.

Characteristics	N (%)
Total number	54 (100)
Age, mean ± SD, years	34.5 ± 10.4
Male	32 (59)
Disease category
Ulcerative colitis	23 (42.5)
Crohn's disease	16 (29.6)
Unexplained chronic diarrhea	5 (9.3)
Constipation	5 (9.3)
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth	3 (5.6)
Irritable bowel syndrome	2 (3.7)
TET success rate, n (%)	54 (100)
Tubing time, mean ± SD, min	14.8 ± 5.8
Retention time of tube, mean ± SD, days	12.4 ± 2.3
Removal of tube
Tube falling out	35 (64.8)
Tube extraction	19 (35.2)
Satisfaction survey for FMT via TET	53 (98.1)

FMT, fecal microbiota transplantation; TET, transendoscopic enteral tubing; SD, standard deviation.

A total of 200 mL of fecal microbiota suspension was given to each patient and the mean injection time was 3.2 minutes. In all cases (100 %), FMT through colonic TET was successful. In 88.4 % of cases (49/54), patients reported no discomfort during FMT. One patient (1.9 %) with severe ulcerative colitis complained of abdominal pain after infusion through TET tube, and the symptoms were alleviated with rest. Four patients (7 %) reported tolerable mild abdominal distension. In one case, we encountered difficult with the infusion because of bending of the tube at an angle in the intestines, which was resolved with injection of normal saline at high pressure. The time from the end of the FMT to the first defecation was 6.3 ± 0.7 hours. In 35 patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, the tubes fell off. Mesalazine was delivered daily to them through the TET tube until the tube fell off. The retention duration was 12.4 ± 2.3 days. In 19 patients, removal of the TET tube was required after FMT or colonic administration. No AEs were encountered when the tubes fell off or on removal of them. All clips were observed on the TET tubes after their removal from the colon.

Discussion

Reports exist of use of FMT to deliver treatment to the upper gut, mid-gut and lower gut. Oral intake of fecal microbiota capsules is common through the upper gut [1]. The capsule dissolves in the small intestine and bacteria are distributed in the gastrointestinal tract. In mid-gut, the microbiota suspension is injected into the small intestine below the second duodenal segment under endoscopic direct vision or via a nasogastric tube, small intestine stoma or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with jejunal extension (PEGJ)[15]. Fecal microbiota can be delivered to the lower gut through colonoscopy, enema, distal ileum stroma, colostomy, and colonic TET. The advantages and limitations of different methods of delivering FMT are shown in [Table 2].

Table 2 Current ways of delivering FMT

Method of delivery	Advantages	Limitations
Upper-gut
Oral capsules[9]	Convenience for patients; easy to deliver	Efficacy affected by cryopreservation state [3]; bacteria possibly affected by bile salts [5] and cryopreservation state; potential risk of SIBO
Mid-gut
Endoscopic channel	Easy to deliver; easy to maintain	Only used during endoscopy; reflux and aspiration [4]; bacteria possibly affected by bile salts [5] and cryopreservation; potential risk of SIBO; not convenient to repeat
Nasojejunal tube [5]	Easy to deliver; easy to maintain	Only used in patients with nasojejunal tube; bacteria possibly affected by bile salts; potential risk of SIBO
PEGJ tube	Easy to deliver; easy to maintain	Only used in few patients with PEGJ tube; bacteria possibly affected by bile salts; potential risk of SIBO
Lower-gut
Endoscopic channel	Easy to deliver	Only used during colonoscopy; difficult to hold the infused suspension in colon; not convenient to repeat
Traditional enema	Easy to deliver; low cost	Only cover rectosigmoid colon; limited infused volume; not suitable for patients having difficulty to hold the infused suspension in rectum
Stoma in ileocolon	Convenient to repeat FMT; easy to deliver; avoiding bacteria affected by bile salts; easy to maintain	Only used in few patients with PEC [15] tube or surgical double cavity stoma formation in ileocolon
Colonic TET tube	Convenient to repeat FMT; easy to deliver; avoiding bacteria affected by bile salts; easy to maintain	TET tube must be placed under colonoscopy

FMT: fecal microbiota transplantation; PEGJ: percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with jejunal extension; SIBO: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth; TET: transendoscopic enteral tubing.

In this study, TET and FMT were successfully performed in all 54 cases (100 %), and FMT retention time was longer than 1 hour. This TET technique and the novel TET accessary devices used demonstrate the feasibility and significance of colonic administration. No serious AEs were observed during the TET procedure, infusion of FMT through the TET tube, the period during which the TET tube was left in place, or removal of the device. During the FMT procedure, 90.7 % (49 /54) of patients reported no discomfort. The mean retention time for the microbiota suspension was enough to meet the requirement for FMT according to our protocol. For patients who required repeat FMT and combined colonic administration of mesalazine, it was a convenient and economic way to use the colonic TET tube. Importantly, this method may be less psychologically challenging for patients than delivery of FMT via the upper and middle digestive tract.

In 19 patients, the TET tubes were removed after a single FMT or colonic administration. Of them, 4 with IBD required removal of the TET tube after FMT and 1-week administration of mesalazine (7 enemas in a single package of Salofalk) because there was no need to leave the TET tube in place. According to our lab protocol and clinical flow [6] [7], for consideration of improving possible clinical efficacy, the time from defecation of stool to infusion of microbiota was required to be no more than 1 hour. Therefore, 15 patients agreed to the use of TET while waiting for fresh microbiota from the lab and because they preferred psychologically delivery through the lower gut, and their TET tubes were removed after FMT.

It should be emphasized that the patients’ daily lives were not affected by TET, and in 98.1 % of cases (53/54), they were satisfied with FMT through TET. For patients with ulcerative colitis that involved the entire colon or Crohn’s disease, TET should be a wonderful choice for frequently delivering medication into the whole colon. In the current study, all 23 patients with ulcerative colitis and 16 patients with Crohn’s disease were administered a mesalazine enema through the TET tube. Of them, six patients were discharged with the tube and they were able to conveniently infuse medication by themselves at home.

The novel concept of TET may be promising for intestinal interventional therapy. Besides this pilot study on colonic study for whole-colon administration through a colonic TET tube, a study on the similar concept of TET used for interventional therapy by duodenal or jejunal TET under gastroscopy is ongoing in our center.

This study does, however, have some limitations. The sample size of this pilot study was small, but a larger prospective study based on these preliminary results is ongoing. This study did not evaluate clinical responses to whole-colon administration compared with other traditional treatments; that will be part of our future studies. A cost-efficacy analysis is necessary and the results may vary from country to country depending on policies for medical charges. Patients who require only a single FMT (e. g. CDI) may not need to generally may not need to undergo colonic TET if use of fresh fecal microbiota is not a consideration and that is why there were no CDI patients in this study.

In conclusion, this study is the first report of colonic TET as a convenient and safe way of delivering FMT. The results highlight the significance of colonic TET as a promising technique for single and repeat whole-colon administration of medication.

Competing interests: Dr. Zhang invented the concept of transendoscopic enteral tubing and devices related to it.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by public donated Intestine Initiative Foundation, Clinical Science and Technology Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BL2014097), and National Gastroenterology Research Project (2015BAI13B07).

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