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Blind loop syndrome - Treatment

Alternative Names

Stasis syndrome; Stagnant loop syndrome

Treatment:

The initial treatment generally involves antibiotics for the bacterial overgrowth, along with vitamin B12 supplementation. If antibiotics don't work, surgery to help the flow of food through the intestine may be considered.

Expectations (prognosis):

Many patients get better with antibiotics. If surgical repair is required, the outcome is typically very good.

Complications:

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

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of blind loop syndrome.

Digestive system

Stomach and small intestine

Reviewed last on: 3/8/2008
Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008.

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