[Blind loop syndrome]

Malabsorption can raise from several causes, including post surgical conditions. Noticeably, ileo-ileal anastomosis can lead to bacterial stagnation in the caecum, with recirculation of the intestinal content, and intestinal spreading of the colonic flora. We review here nine cases who were operated on in our department in the last 20 years. In five patients the syndrome appeared after an intestinal resection due to a postsurgical intestinal infarction due to adhesions. In four patients it appeared after an ileo-transverse derivation motivated by post-surgical occlusion. We conclude that any type of malabsorption appearing after abdominal surgery, even remotely from the surgical procedure should suggest this uncommon diagnosis. Surgical treatment, i.e. replacement of the intestinal anastomosis with a new termino-terminal anastomosis, is necessary and sufficient.