Blind loop syndrome

• Illustrations
• Alternative names
• Definition
• Causes, incidence, and risk factors
• Symptoms

• Signs and tests
• Treatment
• Expectations (prognosis)
• Complications
• Calling your health care provider

Alternative names    Return to top

Definition    Return to top

Blind loop syndrome occurs when part of the intestine becomes blocked, so that digested food slows or stops moving through the intestines. This causes too much bacteria to grow in the intestines and causes problems in absorbing nutrients.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

When a section of the intestine is blocked by blind loop syndrome, bile salts needed to digest fats become ineffective, resulting in fatty stools and poor absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin B12 deficiency may occur because the extra bacteria which develop in this situation use up all of the vitamin.

Blind loop syndrome is a complication that occurs after many operations, including subtotal gastrectomy (surgical removal of part of the stomach), operations for extreme obesity, or as a complication of inflammatory bowel disease or scleroderma.

Symptoms    Return to top

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Fullness after a meal
• Fatty stools
• Unintentional weight loss

Signs and tests    Return to top

During a physical examination, the doctor may notice a mass or distention of the abdomen. Possible tests include:

• Abdominal x-ray
• Abdominal CT scan
• Contrast enema study

Treatment    Return to top

The initial treatment generally involves antibiotics for the bacterial overgrowth, along with vitamin B12 supplementation. If antibiotics are not successful, surgical correction of the obstruction to allow better flow of food through the intestine may be considered.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Many patients respond to antibiotics. If surgical repair is required, the outcome is typically very good.

Complications    Return to top

• Intestinal infarction (death of intestine)
• Complete intestinal obstruction
• Perforation (hole) of intestine

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

Call your health care provider if symptoms occur that are suggestive of blind loop syndrome.