No Gut Syndrome: Near Total Enterectomy

In adult patients, removal of the entire jejunum and ileum (a near total enterectomy (NTE)) is considered a non-survivable event as patients undergoing this procedure might also suffer from an underlying illness that will lead to bowel necrosis such as septic or cardiac shock and respiratory failure. Parenteral nutrition (PN) dependency with its associated complications and quality of life issues further complicates management decisions in this group of patients. In the following report, we discuss our institutional experience with NTE and present a comprehensive review of the literature with patients undergoing NTE with the establishment of bowel continuity and successful outcomes even in cases dating as far back as the 1950s, over a decade prior to the implementation of PN. Review of the literature revealed 26 cases of NTE. Most of these patients are young (46.7 years old), and 57 % are women. These patients were reported to be alive at 21 months of follow-up. In this report, we present an individual 51 months following NTE. We also document the oldest patient receiving an NTE (76 years old). Both of these patients are alive on home PN. In cases where there is hemodynamic stability and patients request to continue with further care, the possibility of a NTE with bowel continuity and life-long PN might be entertained.