Short bowel syndrome is a complex condition characterized by the loss, physical or functional, of a segment of the intestinal surface. The main causes for this to occur are congenital disorders and intestinal infarction or mesenteric ischemia.
This condition makes it very difficult to maintain an adequate nutritional state. Short bowel syndrome brings with it a loss in the ability to absorb nutrients, which creates innumerable difficulties in its treatment.
In spite of everything, through a process of functional and structural adaptation of the intestine it is possible to increase its absorption capacity. However, the prognosis for short bowel syndrome depends on the length and condition of the organ, as well as the cause of the problem and other factors.
What is short bowel syndrome?
Short bowel syndrome is a condition that occurs when a part of the small intestine is lost, either because a child is born without that segment, because it is removed in surgery, or because that area stops working. This causes serious metabolic and nutritional alterations.
Not all loss of part of the small intestine leads to short bowel syndrome. It is only confirmed if the length of the remaining organ, that is, the segment of intestine that remains, is not capable of adequately performing the absorption function.
In general, this condition occurs artificially when there are two of the following surgeries:
Terminal jejunostomy: part of the jejunum, ileum and colon is missing.
Jejuno-colic anastomosis: the ileum and the ileocecal valve are missing, so the jejunum and colon are united.
A person with this condition requires macronutrient and electrolyte supplements in order to maintain their health. In the case of children, this is essential for their growth process. Sometimes parenteral feeding or through a vein is required to avoid malnutrition.
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