Welcome to the Centre of Excellence for Intestinal Rehabilitation and Nutrition Support (IRNS)

Department Overview

The Centre of Excellence for Intestinal Rehabilitation and Nutrition Support (IRNS) proudly announces its launch at Rela Hospital in Chennai, India. As the first such facility in India, our dedicated centre offers comprehensive care for infants, children, and adolescents with intestinal failure and related complex gastrointestinal conditions. With advanced medical technology, multidisciplinary expertise, and a compassionate approach, we address the unique challenges faced by our patients, aiming to become a beacon of hope for families across India and neighbouring countries.

Vision of the Centre

Our mission at the IRNS is to improve outcomes and enhance the quality of life for children affected by severe intestinal disorders. By integrating surgical, nutritional, and medical expertise, we strive to:

• Provide cutting-edge care for children with intestinal failure.
• Optimize parenteral and enteral nutrition strategies to promote growth and development.
• Enable patients to achieve independence from artificial nutrition wherever possible, through intestinal adaptation and advanced therapies.
• Offer highly specialised intestinal surgery, including intestinal transplant and intestinal lengthening procedures.
• Provide comprehensive family support, empowering caregivers with the knowledge and tools to effectively manage their child’s condition.

Our Integrated Care Approach

At the IRNS, we adopt a comprehensive and multidisciplinary care model to address the unique needs of patients with intestinal failure. Our approach includes:

• Expertise from surgeons, gastroenterologists, dietitians, and nursing specialists.
• Advanced therapies and medical technology to optimize patient outcomes.
• Collaborative care with partner healthcare facilities to ensure a seamless continuum of care.
• Management of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) for ongoing support.

Conditions Treated

Our Centre of Excellence specializes in treating a range of complex gastrointestinal conditions, including:

• Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction: Addressing chronic intestinal motility disorders.
• Gastroschisis: Treating congenital abdominal wall defects.
• Hirschsprung Disease: Treating congenital conditions affecting the colon.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Managing chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.
• Omphalocele: Treating congenital abdominal wall defects.
• Short Bowel Syndrome: Managing nutrient absorption challenges due to a shortened intestine.

Our Services

Explore our specialized services at the IRNS:

• Advanced Intestinal Surgery: Offering procedures such as intestinal transplant and intestinal lengthening.
• Nutritional Support: Optimizing parenteral and enteral nutrition strategies for growth and development.
• Family Support: Empowering caregivers with education and resources.
• Comprehensive Care: Addressing conditions like short bowel syndrome, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and Hirschsprung’s disease.