Serial transverse enteroplasty and nipple valve construction, two life saving techniques for patients with short bowel syndrome, a report of 5 cases

Background Various abdominal pathologies end up with surgical resection of small intestine. When the small intestine remnant is too short for adequate fluid and micronutrients absorption, short bowel syndrome is diagnosed. The disabling condition needs a multidisciplinary approach to design parenteral nutrition, care for thrombotic, hepatic and infectious complications and gradually wean the patient from parenteral nutrition. Various surgical techniques have been introduced to increase absorptive mucosa and enhance the intestinal adaptation process. Serial transverse enteroplasty and nipple valve reconstruction are among the procedures, which will be discussed in the current article. Case presentation Herein, we presented 5 cases of short bowel syndrome as a consequence of abdominal laparotomies, patients were referred to our center to receive parenteral nutrition and to be prepared for the final autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction or intestinal transplantation, if indicated. Conclusion Patient’s age, performance status and bowel remnant length determines the appropriate technique for autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction. Serial transverse enteroplasty is designed to increase bowel’s length by creating zigzag patterns through dilated bowel loops. Presence of ileocecal valve is crucial to delay intestinal transit time and to prevent colonic bacterial transfer to ileum. Patient’s with ileocecal valve loss benefit from creating an artificial valve, namely, nipple valve.

Salvage surgery for continent ileostomies (CI) after a first successful revision: more long-term blame on the reservoir than the nipple valve

Purpose The aim of the study was to investigate the underlying cause of long-term complications in patients requiring at least one revision surgery of a continent ileostomy (CI) and to analyze functional outcome. Methods Only patients with CI at least one revision were included in the retrospective data analysis. Four different classes of complications (Cl A–D) were defined: Cl A = Nipple valve (NV), Cl B = pouch, Cl C = outlet (stoma), and Cl D = afferent loop (AL). Associations between underlying disease and origin of complications were analyzed. Cumulative probabilities were calculated using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results A total of 77 patients were identified with a follow-up of 30 years, requiring 133 surgeries for 148 complications (c.). Cl A 49 c. (33.1%), Cl B 50 c. (33.8%), Cl C 39 c. (26.4%), and Cl D 10 c. (6.8%). Cl A and C complications were not correlated to underlying disease, whereas Cl B and D complications were only found in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). The cumulative probability of a second revision showed a linear rise, reaching 62.5% after 20 years. Cl A and B complications both reached 42.1%. Eleven (14.3%) patients (10 Cl B) had pouch failure in a follow-up period of 11.5 ± 8.7 years (1–31 years), whereas 66 (85.7%) had successful revisional surgery. Overall CI survival was 78.8% at 44 years. Conclusion CI survival is limited by inflammatory complications of the pouch based on the underlying disease and not by mechanical limitations of the NV. Trial registration numbers None.