A 22-year-old member asked:
Can complications of gastrointestinal fistula, lead to surgical-induced short gut?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
Surgical Oncology 20 years experience
Yes: Fistulas are abnormal connections between parts of the body. Fistulas are essentially abnormal short-cuts through your intestines. Your intestines are long by design so that you can absorb all the nutrients. With the fistula "short-cuts" the digesting food passes through without getting optimally absorbed. In severe cases this causes a functional short gut.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Hazem Eltahawyanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Yes: If the fistula is internal and happens after abdominal surgery, it can lead to bypass of part of the intestine and therefore lead to short gut
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated May 8, 2014
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