Explain the effects of short bowel syndrome. What consequences most often occur after small bowel surgery?

Answer 1

?Short bowel syndrome is the malabsorption syndrome that results when the absorptive capacity of the remaining intestine is insufficient for meeting nutritional needs. Without appropriate dietary adjustments, short bowel syndrome can result in fluid and electrolyte imbalances and multiple nutrient deficiencies. Symptoms of short bowel syndrome include diarrhea, steatorrhea, dehydration, weight loss, and growth impairment in children. Generally, up to 50 percent of the small intestine can be resected without serious nutritional consequences. More extensive resections lead to generalized malabsorption, and patients may need lifelong parenteral nutrition to supplement oral intakes. Other problems that may develop include kidney stones and gallstones. Furthermore, loss of the ileocecal valve increases the likelihood that colonic bacteria will infiltrate the small intestine and cause bacterial overgrowth.