Beyond Basics
Factors Influencing Digestive Process In A Patient With SBS
The Presence or Absence of the Ileocecal Valve
The ileocecal valve performs two key functions. It physically
separates the small intestine from the colon, keeping the bacterial content
of the colon from backing up and colonizing the small intestine, and it
regulates the emptying of the contents of the small intestine into the
colon. By slowing the passage of nutrients from the small intestine, the
ileocecal valve helps to prolong intestinal transit time, thereby increasing
the time that nutrients are in contact with the mucosal surface. This
serves to maximize the absorption of nutrients, fluids, and electrolytes.
Small intestine resection decreases the transit time by physically shortening
the length of the intestine, disrupts the normal rate in which food is
mixed with enzymes, and shortens the contact time of the nutrients with
the mucosal surface. When the ileocecal valve is also removed, bacteria
from the colon flow into the small intestine, which can result in bacterial
overgrowth. Intestinal transit time is further reduced, since the valve
is not there to regulate the flow from the small intestine into the colon.
This can exacerbate the symptoms of SBS (e.g., diarrhea, malnutrition,
electrolyte imbalance) because the absorption of water, nutrients, and
electrolytes is impaired.
This information
is provided as a general educational service
and is not intended to recommend any particular treatment plan
or to replace the advice of physicians. It is important that patients
seek and rely on the advice of a healthcare professional
about their individual medical conditions.
