Nutrition management in stage IV oncological patients is challenging. Finding a balance between ion, protein, carbohydrate, and lipid intake and output is often nearly impossible. A 36-year-old patient with terminal-stage ovarian cancer and bowel obstruction is presented. She was admitted to the surgery department with complaints of vomiting, abdominal pain, absence of flatulence, and defecation for the last two days. Laboratory findings showed anemia, low protein levels, low potassium, and elevated liver enzymes. Venous infusions were administered to restore nutritional values. Food and liquid intake were stopped. After 6 days of hospital stay, the patient underwent a surgical procedure - a high ileostomy, to restore stool passage. A serious complication occurred - nearly 1600 ml. of stool was excreted from the ileostomy every 24 hours. Combination of medications - loperamide hydrochloride (2 mg daily), continuous venous infusions with lipid and carb-rich solutions, and proper diet managed to decrease the stoma outtake to 600 ml per day. Placing a port-a-cath system provided the patient with an easily managed device, allowing her to continue parenteral nutrition at home and increasing the likelihood of discharge from the hospital.

Ileostomy, oncology, surgical complication