Short bowel synerome (SBS) is defined as malabsorption resulting from anatomical or functional loss of a significant length of the small intestine. SBS is characterized clinically by chronic diarrhea, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and malnutrition. Most commonly SBS occurs after bowel resection. SBS can be caused by radiation therapy after operative management of abdominal and pelvic malignancies. The severity and management depend on the site and extent of the intestinal resection, whether the ileocecal valve remains, whether there is disease in the residual bowel, and the degree of adaptation of the remaining bowel. Resection of the ileocecal valve results in decreased fluid and nutrient absorption, and increased bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel. We report a 76-year-old female who developed SBS after resection of a large extent of small bowel and ileocecal valve. She has a past history of radiation therapy after hysterectomy due to cervix cancer. (J Surg Crit Care 2012;2:8-10)
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