[Serial transverse enteroplasty for short bowel syndrome. Case report]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Innovation
• Abdominal Surgery

Background:

• Short bowel syndrome (SBS) significantly impairs nutrient absorption, often necessitating parenteral nutrition.
• Surgical interventions aim to increase intestinal length and absorptive capacity in SBS patients.
• Serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) is a technique that lengthens the bowel while preserving its blood supply.

Observation:

• A 51-year-old female patient with SBS experienced recurrent complications requiring hospitalization.
• The patient underwent serial transverse enteroplasty, increasing her small intestinal length from 140 cm to 180 cm.
• Postoperatively, the patient developed intra-abdominal fluid collections and a septic episode with bacterial endocarditis.

Findings:

• Despite postoperative complications, the patient successfully transitioned to exclusive oral feeding within one month.
• Nutritional and fluid balance was achieved solely through oral intake.
• The patient maintained exclusive oral feeding with five daily bowel movements during ambulatory follow-up.

Implications:

• Serial transverse enteroplasty can be an effective option for SBS patients, potentially enabling oral feeding independence.
• Careful postoperative monitoring is crucial to manage potential complications like infections and fluid collections.
• This case highlights the potential for significant functional improvement in SBS patients following intestinal lengthening procedures.