Alternate Names : Stasis syndrome, Stagnant loop syndrome
Definition
Blind loop syndrome occurs when part of the intestine becomes bypassed, so that digested food slows or stops moving through the intestines. This causes bacteria to grow too much in the intestines and leads to problems in absorbing nutrients.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The name of this condition refers to the “blind loop” formed by the bypassed intestine. This blind loop does not allow digested food to flow normally through the intestinal tract.
When a section of the intestine is affected by blind loop syndrome, the bile salts needed to digest fats become ineffective. This leads to in fatty stools and poor absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin B12 deficiency may occur because the extra bacteria that develop in this situation use up all of the vitamin.
Blind loop syndrome is a complication that occurs:
- After many operations, including subtotal gastrectomy (surgical removal of part of the stomach) and operations for extreme obesity
- As a complication of inflammatory bowel disease
Diseases such as diabetes or scleroderma may slow down movement in a segment of the intestine, leading to blind loop syndrome.
Pictures & Images
Digestive system
The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.
Stomach and small intestine
The stomach connects the esophagus to the small intestines and is where the majority of food digestion takes place.
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Blind loop syndrome : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Blind loop syndrome : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Blind loop syndrome : Treatment
Review Date : 5/12/2009
Reviewed By : Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
