Role of the ileocecal valve and site of intestinal resection in malabsorption after extensive small bowel resection.

Intestinal absorption after extensive small bowel resections, for diseases other than Crohn's disease, was studied in 17 patients. When the ileocecal valve and the right colon were preserved, malabsorption was transient and moderate and had no prejudicial nutritional effect (fecal fat: 8.8 +/- 1.8 g/24 h in resections sparing the 2 distal bowel loops, and 16.2 +/- 4.8 g/24 h in resections including the distal ileum; mean +/- SEM). When colectomy was associated, malabsorption was severe and persistent (fecal fat: 47.4 +/- 12.2 g/24 h; mean +/- SEM). These findings suggest that the most important prognostic factor in extensive small bowel resection is the site of the resection, and particularly the presence or absence of the right colon and ileocecal valve.