WHAT IS SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME?
Short Bowel Syndrome also known as Short Gut Syndrome is a devastating injury in which the small bowel or intestine becomes compromised and dies because of the lack of blood flow through the intestine. The onset of this injury often occurs when the small intestine becomes twisted, knotted or kinked. This is a condition known as a malrotation and/or volvulus and is often either congenital or caused by scar tissue within the abdomen. If you have undergone an abdominal surgery such as an appendectomy (removal of the appendix), hysterectomy, cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), gastric bypass, or laparotomy, internal abdominal scarring also known as adhesions can develop. In this setting, the small intestine can wrap around the adhesions and can reduce or completely cut off the blood flow through the veins that supply oxygen to the small intestine. This is often referred to as an ischemic abdomen which is an emergency that can result in a catastrophic outcome including death. Symptoms of an ischemic bowel typically are sudden severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Malrotations or volvuli of the small intestine can be diagnosed by undergoing a CT Scan of the abdomen.
If the malrotation or volvulus is not timely treated with surgery, the lack of oxygen to the small intestine will reach a point at which most, if not all, of the intestine will die. When this happens, the dead small intestine must be surgically removed. The ends of the remaining viable part of the bowel are then surgically attached to each other.
One of the principal functions of the small intestine is the absorption of nutrients from food eaten by mouth. Consequently, people with Short Bowel Syndrome can become severely malnourished and/or dehydrated. To treat this condition, patients must receive their nutrition and hydration for the rest of their lives through a liquid known as Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN). TPN is administered intravenously and often daily over many hours each time.
An important treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome can include a medication protocol called teduglutide. This medication protocol can enhance the function of the remaining viable part of the small intestine allowing for adequate nutrition intake from food eaten by mouth. As a direct result, patients on teduglutide can either reduce their dependence on or entirely eliminate the need for TPN and thereby return the patient to a near normal lifestyle. Specialists in the treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome are best able to address the effectiveness of teduglutide for Short Bowel Syndrome.
Our team at Lew-Stevens, LLP has over two decades of experience representing children of all ages and adults who have Short Gut Syndrome caused by negligent medical care. In many of these matters, health care providers have failed to timely diagnose and treat an ischemic abdomen by either not timely ordering a CT Scan, misreading a CT scan, or failing to consider an ischemic abdomen as a potential explanation for the patient’s suffering. Our team has attained substantial recoveries for our clients with Short Bowel Syndrome which will provide for their care including surgeries, hospitalizations, TPN, teduglutide and like medication protocols, supplies, and equipment; as well as obtaining recoveries for a lifetime of the emotional distress, pain, suffering and hardship.
If you have questions regarding the medical care and treatment rendered to you or someone important to you, please contact us at Lew-Stevens, LLP. We are here for the protection of your rights and recovery for your life-changing injuries.