We're hiring ! Join us and make a difference in our hospitals
Short bowel syndrome
Short bowel syndrome
What is short bowel syndrome?
Short bowel syndrome occurs when a large part of the small intestine has had to be removed during an operation. This situation may arise following an interruption of the blood supply to the intestine (rather like an “infarction” affecting this part of the body) or, among other causes, as a result of a chronic inflammatory disease such as Crohn’s disease. When too large a part of the intestine is missing, the body is no longer able to absorb the water, nutrients and vitamins essential for its proper functioning. In some cases, a stoma has also been created: this is a surgically created opening from the intestine onto the skin through which stools are evacuated into an external pouch. Although it ensures the evacuation of stools, it can also lead to significant fluid losses for the body.
Symptoms
- Frequent diarrhoea
- Weight loss due to inadequate absorption of nutrients (malnutrition)(link to the malnutrition health condition)
- Dehydration
- Abnormalities in the blood: a deficiency of certain essential minerals such as sodium or potassium, as well as vitamins and trace elements
- Fatigue
How is Short Bowel Syndrome diagnosed?
You will first be seen by a specialist gastroenterologist, who will take the time to review your symptoms as well as your medical and surgical history. Further examinations will then be carried out:
- A complete blood test to assess your general health, kidney and liver function, as well as your vitamin and mineral levels.
- A urine test.
- A CT scan and intestinal transit study to measure the length of the remaining intestine .
- A liver ultrasound and FibroScan to ensure that your liver is healthy.
- A bone densitometry scan to assess the strength of your bones.
Treatment and care
Your care is provided by a team of several specialists, coordinated by your gastroenterologist:
- A dietitian will support you in adapting your diet to your situation.
- Medication and vitamin supplements will be prescribed to slow intestinal transit and correct any deficiencies.
- If your intestine is no longer able to absorb enough nutrients, nutrition may be provided directly intravenously—this is called parenteral nutrition—. A specialist nurse and a pharmacist will explain how it works, as well as the type of catheter (a small tube inserted into a vein) that will be used.
- In some cases, a specific medication may be offered to stimulate your intestine’s absorptive capacity (GLP-2 agonists).
Is there a surgical solution?
Depending on your situation, a new surgical procedure may be considered in order to reconnect the different parts of the intestine. If you have a stoma, its closure may also be discussed.
How is follow-up carried out?
Regular follow-up is essential to ensure your well-being and the effectiveness of your treatment:
- At least 3 consultations per year with your gastroenterologist.
- Blood tests and urine tests at each visit.
- A liver ultrasound and a FibroScan every year.
- A bone density scan every 2 years, or more frequently if necessary.
For young patients: the transition to adulthood
If you have been followed in paediatrics until now, the transition to an adult service is prepared progressively, from the age of 16:
- Your paediatrician will contact the adult team and provide it with all the information concerning your health and treatment.
- A first joint consultation—in the presence of your paediatrician and your new referring doctor—will be organised, so that you do not feel alone) at this stage.
- If necessary, follow-up in both services (paediatric and adult) may be continued for a maximum of 6 months in order to facilitate this transition in complete peace of mind.
Our specialists
Prof. Marianna Arvanitakis
Head of the Pancreatology and Nutritional Support Clinic
Gastroenterologist, specialising in pancreatic diseases, interventional endoscopy and clinical nutrition.
Professor Marianna Arvanitakis specialised in pancreatology and interventional endoscopy within Professor Jacques Devière’s team at Erasme Hospital. After obtaining a University Diploma in Clinical Nutrition in 2005, she took over the medical coordination of the nutritional support service in 2018. Research conducted within the clinic focuses in particular on optimising the management of patients with severe acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis, as well as on the management of patients suffering from short bowel syndrome. A member of several scientific societies, she is Secretary-General of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) for the 2025–2027 term and a gastroenterology clinical supervisor for the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB).
Languages spoken: French, English, Greek.
Professor Alia Hadefi
Professor Hadefi is a gastroenterologist with expertise in clinical nutrition and metabolic liver diseases. She defended her doctoral thesis on the interaction between the gut and liver diseases in 2024 and completed further training in 2025 within the Department of Gastroenterology, Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) and Nutritional Support at Beaujon Hospital (Paris).
Languages spoken: French, English, Arabic.
Dr Michael Fernandez Y Viesca
Dr Fernandez is a gastroenterologist with expertise in pancreatology, acquired after obtaining a university diploma in Pancreatology in 2017 (Sorbonne). He is the coordinating physician for Benign Pancreatic Diseases within the multidisciplinary pancreatology consultation team and is currently preparing a doctoral thesis on severe acute pancreatitis.
Languages spoken: French, English, Spanish.
Associated department
Associated department
Contact
You can make an appointment for a consultation (by email at ConsGastroMed [dot] erasme [at] hubruxelles [dot] be or by telephone on +32 (0)2 555.35.04, or contact the Gastroenterology department of H.U.B directly at SecMed [dot] GastroMed [dot] erasme [at] hubruxelles [dot] be (SecMed[dot]GastroMed[dot]erasme[at]hubruxelles[dot]be)
You can also contact the clinical nutrition nurse, Ms Ballarin, at asuncion [dot] ballarin [at] hubruxelles [dot] be (asuncion[dot]ballarin[at]hubruxelles[dot]be)
