A 63 year old man comes for follow up after surgery from the hospital. He had intestinal obstruction due to bowel ischemia and undergoes a moderate amount of small bowel resection. What is the diet he should be following?

Parenteral nutrition

Low fat frequent meals

Elemental diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids

Regular diet with B12 supplementation

High protein diet

The answer is Elemental diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

Explanation:

Gut failure. Depends on portion of the bowel resected and amount. For the most part, nutrient absorption is accomplished in the proximal small bowel (except fat) and fluid and electrolyte homeostasis is maintained by the ileum and colon. So it is not difficult to work it out.

Moderate amount of bowel resection : Elemental diet and diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

Extensive small bowel resection : Parenteral nutrition

Q. A 25 year old man who does cocaine comes in with severe abdominal pain. He undergoes a CT of his abdomen that shows extensive thumbprinting. He undergoes a laparotomy to find severely ischemic and gangrenous bowel. He undergoes extensive small bowel resection. What diet should he be on after 3 months of healing time.

TPN (Total parenteral nutrition)

Low fat frequent meals

Elemental diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids

Regular diet with B12 supplementation

High protein diet

The answer is TPN (Total parenteral nutrition)

Explanation: (Same as above)

Gut failure. Depends on portion of the bowel resected and amount. For the most part, nutrient absorption is accomplished in the proximal small bowel (except fat) and fluid and electrolyte homeostasis is maintained by the ileum and colon. So it is not difficult to work it out.

Moderate amount of bowel resection : Elemental diet and diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

Extensive small bowel resection : Parenteral nutrition