Short Bowel Syndrome

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a disorder that results from the surgical removal of the small intestine leading to a nutrient absorption disorder. Although, in some rare cases this disorder may be the result of a functional issue involving a large section of the bowel. Some people are born with a congenial short bowel defect – but most times, it’s an acquired condition. For this condition to become apparent, usually more than 2/3 of the small intestine needs to be lost.

Symptoms of short bowel syndrome can include weight loss from malnutrition, fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fluid retention.

Complications resulting from short bowel syndrome are directly related to the patient’s inability to absorb vitamins and other nutrients which will lead to deficiencies in vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron and folic acid. These deficiencies may present as anemia, poor clotting, muscle spasms, scaly skin, bone pain and easy bruising.

Short bowel syndrome related to surgery is usually cause by procedures to treat:

• Injury to the small intestine.
• Crohn’s disease – which is an inflammatory digestive tract disorder.
• Tumors attached to the small intestine.
• Obesity-related bypass surgery (which is becoming more common).
• Volvulus – small intestine twisting that leads to tissue death.

With newborns, there is no cure for short bowel syndrome and the survival rate is estimated at 70% up till age 4 years. There has been some speculation that most of that mortality is related to the complication of chronic liver disease. However, there is hope that a type of lipid TPN feed (Omegaven) will reduce this risk.

A small intestine transplant has provided a mixed success rate with a 30% post-operative mortality rate and a 90% one-year survival rate and a 60% four-year survival rate.

There are also surgical procedures that are used to lengthen the bowel which include the Bianchi Procedure. Here, the bowel is cut in half and one end of the bowel is attached to the other. This procedure is controversial and it will be usually be performed by pediatric surgeons at hospitals that specialize in bowel surgery.

Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

Short bowel syndrome can prevent someone from being able to work in order to provide an income for themselves and their families. You can obtain more information by contacting Houston Social Security disability lawyer Gerard Lynch.