Short Bowel Syndrome

Short bowel syndrome refers to the symptoms and pathological disorders associated with a malabsorptive state resulting from surgical resection, congenital defect or disease-associated loss of absorption from a substantial portion of small or large intestine. Parenteral nutrition is usually required if less than 40 cm of small intestine in children or less than 150 cm in adults is conserved. The clinical presentation of short bowel syndrome is divided into three phases: early, intermediate, and late. Short bowel syndrome presents with a variety of symptoms that may require individualized therapy. The consequences of small bowel resection are variable but in general relate to the extent of resection, the site of resection, and subsequent adaptive processes. Controlling diarrhea and malnutrition is a major goal of treating a patient with short bowel syndrome. This chapter also talks about diagnostic investigations, management and complications of the short bowel syndrome.