The ratio of small bowel length to body weight can help identify an adult who will be dependent on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) following a significant resection of small bowel.
Patient features:
(1) small bowel length <= 50 cm
(2) small bowel in continuity with colon
(3) body weight 50-75 kg.
Evaluation was done after optimizing oral nutritional therapy.
Parameters:
(1) length of jejunum-ileum in cm
(2) body weight in kilograms
jejunal-ileal length to body weight ratio =
= (jejunal-ileal length in cm) / (body weight in kg)
Interpretation:
• The longer the length of the residual small bowel and the lower the body weight the more likely that the patient can be independent of TPN.
• The higher the ratio the less likely that the patient will be TPN dependent.
Ratio
Percent TPN Dependent with Optimized Care
< 0.25
67%
0.25 - 0.50
46%
0.51 - 0.99
17%
>= 1.0
very low
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