Severe short-bowel syndrome after total small bowel resection

Extensive intestine resection may result in short bowel syndrome (SBS) which is difficult of manage. This study reports a rare SBS case in a 6-year-old boy following resection of total jujunoileum and right colon. Our experience in 4-years follow-up and literature reports on SBS is discussed. The purpose of this study was also to evaluate the nutritional absorptive capacity and intestinal adaptation. In the 15th postoperative month, barium x-ray study showed a significantly extended and enlarged duodenum and colon. The intestinal transit time was prolonged to 22 hours. The absorption rate of palmic acid, glycine and D-xylose had increased from 57%, 50% and 4% respectively in the 15th postoperative month, to 75%, 65% and 6% in the 2nd postoperative year. His absorptive capacity allowed him normal oral feeding and normal school life. Our data confirmed the reports of the colon as an energy-salvage organ, and suggested that it may have some capacity to absorb long-chain fatty acids and amino acids.