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.

SETTING. A tertiary paediatric surgery referral centre in Hong Kong.

PATIENTS. 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.

CONCLUSION. 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.

Key words: Intestinal obstruction; Intestine, small; Reconstructive surgical procedures; Short bowel syndrome

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