Colon interposition: an adjuvant operation for short-gut syndrome.

Six infants with short-gut syndrome refractory to medical management underwent isoperistaltic colon interposition (length 11.7 +/- 3.1 cm.). The abdominal catastrophes that required extensive intestinal resection were: volvulus (3), necrotizing enterocolitis (2), and gastroschisis with intestinal atresia (1). No infant had another major congenital anomaly. The average trial of attempted medical therapy prior to colon interposition was 5.5 +/- 3.6 months. There was no perioperative mortality or morbidity associated with the colon interposition. Following the colon interposition, three infants were weaned from total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in 3 +/- 1 months and all survived. In contrast, three infants could not be withdrawn from TPN and they died secondary to complications of TPN (2 from sepsis and 1 from hepatic failure). Long-term survival was associated with a greater length of small bowel remaining after the initial resection (51 +/- 12 cm v 35 +/- 24 cm), colon interposition at a younger age (3 +/- 1 months v 8 +/- 3.5 months), and a shorter duration of medical management prior to colon interposition (2.8 +/- 0.8 months v 6.7 +/- 5.0 months). All survivors are now tolerating a regular diet and having one to four formed stools per day. Normal somatic growth and developmental milestones are being achieved. The follow-up period is from 24 to 84 months. Our experience with the colon interposition in the patient with short gut syndrome has led us to conclude that when a reasonable trial of medical management has failed, a colon interposition is a safe and effective adjuvant to treatment.