[The ileocecal valve as a prognostic factor in extensive resection of the small intestine]

The aim of the study was to examine the role of the ileocaecal valve in relation to the nature and extent of symptoms following extensive bowel resection (EBR) in 13 patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) referred to our department over the period 1962-1988. The results obtained do not allow us to assess the effective role of the ileocaecal valve in determining the severity of SBS. The factors conditioning the extent of the aftermath of EBR and effectively affecting prognosis are, in fact, multiple and act in various interrelated ways, thus making it difficult to define the precise role of any one of them. The ileocaecal valve, however, does play a substantial role, in that, on the one hand, it performs sphincter and barrier functions against ileocolic reflux of bacteria, while, on the other, its removal involves excision of the right colon (reserve area for reabsorption of water and ions) and of the terminal ileum (a site specialized in absorption of vitamin B12 and bile salts).