Our Summary

This research paper is about a medical condition called acute intestinal failure, which mostly happens when a large part of the small intestine is removed. This can lead to symptoms like severe diarrhea, inability to absorb nutrients, chronic malnutrition, and can even cause death if not treated properly. However, if there’s more than a foot of the intestine left, full recovery is possible without the need for special nutritional support.

To treat this, doctors recommend a long-term mix of direct feeding through veins and normal eating, alongside surgeries to lengthen the remaining part of the intestine. This treatment plan is known as an Intestinal Rehabilitation Program. The researchers used this program on 16 children, with treatments lasting anywhere from 8 months to 7.5 years. It was successful in 75% of the cases.

In extreme cases where the whole small intestine is removed, an intestine transplant might be the only option. But so far, no child in Brazil has survived this procedure, even though it was tried on seven patients. The paper concludes that the results of the Intestinal Rehabilitation Program are promising, and suggest that more pediatric hospitals should consider implementing it.

FAQs

  1. What is acute intestinal failure and what are its symptoms?
  2. What is an Intestinal Rehabilitation Program and how successful was it in the research?
  3. What are the alternatives for treatment when the entire small intestine is removed?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about intestinal resection is to follow a strict treatment plan, including a mix of direct feeding through veins and normal eating, as well as surgeries to lengthen the remaining part of the intestine if necessary. It’s important to work closely with healthcare providers to monitor progress and ensure proper nutrition and medical care. In some cases, an Intestinal Rehabilitation Program may be necessary for full recovery. If the entire small intestine is removed, a transplant may be considered as a last resort, but it is a risky procedure with limited success rates. It’s important to stay informed and actively participate in your treatment plan to improve outcomes.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended intestinal resection include those with acute intestinal failure, severe diarrhea, malnutrition, and inability to absorb nutrients. These patients may have a large part of their small intestine removed and may require long-term nutritional support. In extreme cases where the whole small intestine is removed, patients may be considered for an intestine transplant.

Timeline

  1. Before intestinal resection:
  • Patient experiences symptoms of acute intestinal failure, such as severe diarrhea, malnutrition, and inability to absorb nutrients.
  • Doctors diagnose the condition and recommend surgical intervention.
  • Patient undergoes intestinal resection surgery to remove a large part of the small intestine.
  1. After intestinal resection:
  • Patient is monitored closely for complications and is started on a treatment plan, such as the Intestinal Rehabilitation Program.
  • Treatment involves a combination of direct feeding through veins and normal eating, as well as surgeries to lengthen the remaining intestine.
  • Recovery can take anywhere from 8 months to several years, with successful outcomes seen in 75% of cases.
  • In extreme cases where the entire small intestine is removed, an intestine transplant may be considered as a last resort.
  • The success rate of intestine transplants in pediatric patients is low, with no survivors in Brazil so far.
  • The research paper concludes that the Intestinal Rehabilitation Program shows promising results and should be considered by more pediatric hospitals for the treatment of acute intestinal failure.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is the reason for the intestinal resection and how much of the intestine was removed?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with intestinal resection surgery?
  3. How will the intestinal resection affect my ability to absorb nutrients and digest food?
  4. Will I need to make any changes to my diet or lifestyle after the surgery?
  5. What are the long-term implications of having a portion of my intestine removed?
  6. What is the likelihood of needing additional surgeries or treatments in the future?
  7. What is the success rate of the Intestinal Rehabilitation Program, and am I a candidate for this treatment?
  8. What other treatment options are available for managing acute intestinal failure?
  9. How often will I need to follow up with my doctor after the surgery?
  10. Are there any support groups or resources available for individuals who have undergone intestinal resection surgery?

Reference

Authors: Tannuri U, Barros F, Tannuri AC. Journal: Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2016 Sep;62(6):575-583. doi: 10.1590/1806-9282.62.06.575. PMID: 27849236