Nursing Care of Short Bowel Syndrome Complicated by Biliary Pancreatitis: A Case Report

Abstract

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) in adults is a condition mainly caused by surgical resection of the small bowel; it is characterized by the inability to maintain balances of protein, fluid, and electrolytes when on a regular diet. SBS has a high mortality rate if left untreated. Herein, we report a case of SBS complicated by acute biliary pancreatitis in our center. Due to acute mesenteric arterial occlusion and intestinal necrosis, the 58-year-old male patient underwent bowel resection with enterostomy in September 2020. He was diagnosed with SBS in December 2020. In the beginning, parenteral nutrition was the main treatment approach. After the symptoms of abdominal pain, abdominal distension and vomiting were improved, the patient switched to receiving the combination of enteral and parenteral nutrition support. With the nutrition support and full range of nursing care, the patient’s nutritional status was improved, and he was discharged with the tube. In this case report, we detailed the core elements of nursing care in managing patients with SBS.