Serial transverse enteroplasty for short bowel syndrome: Hong Kong experience.
OBJECTIVE
To report our experience with the first series of serial transverse enteroplasty operations (a novel bowel-lengthening procedure for patients with short bowel syndrome). DESIGN. Case series.


METHODS
A tertiary paediatric surgery referral centre in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Four patients with short bowel syndrome aged 11 months to 14 years underwent serial transverse enteroplasty between November 2007 and June 2010.


RESULTS
A total of six such serial procedures were performed; two patients had repeated operations. Median pre-serial transverse enteroplasty small bowel length was 17.5 cm. The median increase in small bowel length was 90%. One patient experienced transient postoperative intestinal obstruction that resolved after conservative management. The median postoperative follow-up period was 31 months. The median enteral nutrition tolerance increased from 24% to 47%. The median weight-for-age z score increased by 0.55, and the median weight-for-height z score increased by 0.98. One patient had successfully weaned off parenteral nutrition.


CONCLUSIONS
Serial transverse enteroplasty is a feasible and safe treatment for short bowel syndrome patients, which helps to improve enteral nutrition and promote growth. Repeated serial transverse enteroplasty can be performed in patients with ultra-short bowel lengths. Follow-up is necessary to assess the long-term outcomes.
Division of Paediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Hong Kong. leungwym@ha.org.hk
Michael W Y
MW
Leung
Ivy H Y
IH
Chan
Nicholas S Y
NS
Chao
Beatrice P Y
BP
Wong
Kelvin K W
KK
Liu
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome