Small Intestine, C44 P286-293 Flashcards
SMALL BOWEL ANATOMY What comprises the small bowel? P286
Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum
SMALL BOWEL
ANATOMY
How long is the duodenum?
P286
≈12 inches—thus the name: duodenum!
SMALL BOWEL ANATOMY What marks the end of the duodenum and the start of the jejunum? P286
Ligament of Treitz
SMALL BOWEL ANATOMY What is the length of the entire small bowel? P286
≈6 meters (20 feet)
SMALL BOWEL ANATOMY What provides blood supply to the small bowel? P286
Branches of the superior mesenteric
artery
SMALL BOWEL
ANATOMY
What does the small bowel do?
P286
Major site of digestion and absorption
SMALL BOWEL ANATOMY What are the plicae circulares? P286
Plicae means “folds,” circulares means
“circular”; thus, circular folds of mucosa
(a.k.a. valvulae conniventes) in small bowel
lumen
SMALL BOWEL ANATOMY What are the major structural differences between the jejunum and the ileum? P287
Jejunum—long vasa rectae, large plicae circulares, thicker wall Ileum—shorter vasa rectae, smaller plicae circulares, thinner wall (Think: Ileum = Inferior vasa rectae, Inferior plicae circulares, and Inferior wall thickness in comparison to the jejunum)
SMALL BOWEL ANATOMY What does the terminal ileum absorb? P287
B12, fatty acids, bile salts
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION What is small bowel obstruction (SBO)? P287
Mechanical obstruction to the passage of
intraluminal contents
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION What are the signs/ symptoms? P287
Abdominal discomfort, cramping,
nausea, abdominal distention, emesis,
high-pitched bowel sounds
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION What lab tests are performed with SBO? P287
Electrolytes, CBC, type and screen,
urinalysis
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION What are classic electrolyte/ acid-base findings with proximal obstruction? P287
Hypovolemic, hypochloremic,
hypokalemia, alkalosis
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION What must be ruled out on physical exam in patients with SBO? P287
Incarcerated hernia (also look for surgical scars)
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION What major AXR findings are associated with SBO? P287 (picture)
Distended loops of small bowel air-fluid
levels on upright film
SMALL BOWEL
SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION
Define complete SBO.
P288
Complete obstruction of the lumen;
usually paucity or no colon gas
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION What is the danger of complete SBO? P288
Closed loop strangulation of the bowel
leading to bowel necrosis
SMALL BOWEL
SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION
Define partial SBO.
P288
Incomplete SBO; some colon gas
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION What is initial management of all patients with SBO? P288
NPO, NGT, IVF, Foley
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION What tests can differentiate partial from complete bowel obstruction? P288
CT with oral contrast, small bowel
follow-through
SMALL BOWEL
SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION
What are the ABCs of SBO?
P288
Causes of SBO:
- Adhesions
- Bulge (hernias)
- Cancer and tumors
SMALL BOWEL
SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION
What are other causes of SBO?
P288
The acronym “GIVES BAD CRAMPS”: Gallstone ileus Intussusception Volvulus External compression SMA syndrome
Bezoars, Bowel wall hematoma Abscesses Diverticulitis
Crohn’s disease Radiation enteritis Annular pancreas Meckel’s diverticulum Peritoneal adhesions Stricture
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION What is superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome? P288
Seen with weight loss—SMA compresses
duodenum, causing obstruction
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION What is the treatment of complete SBO? P288
Laparotomy and lysis of adhesions
SMALL BOWEL
SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION
What is LOA?
P288
Lysis Of Adhesions
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION What is the treatment of incomplete SBO? P289
Initially, conservative treatment with close
observation plus NGT decompression
SMALL BOWEL SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION Intraoperatively, how can the level of obstruction be determined in patients with SBO? P289
Transition from dilated bowel proximal to
the decompressed bowel distal to the
obstruction